North Canterbury Gazette FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1937 In Parliament

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume 7, Issue 59, 26 November 1937, Page 4

North Canterbury Gazette FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1937 In Parliament

It would not be unreasonable if the Government decides to make some alterations in the Standing Orders, and it is certainly desirable that the Opposition should begin, if it is not now too late, to show a greater degree of commonsense in the House. The incident this week, when Mr Nash, replying to a three-day debate on the Finance Bill, was refused on the vote of one Opposition member an extension of time beyond half-an-hour, is as completely foolish as it is futile. What purpose Mr Poison had in mind when he shouted "No” to his own leader’s motion for an extension of time is not clear, nor is it ever likely to be clear. But what is clear to every elector is that Mr Poison was acting like a spoiled child; that it was equally foolish of Mr Broadfoot to start complaining when the half-hour was extended by a few minutes; and that it is supremely ridiculous for the Opposition to clamour for three days for information from the Minister, and then tell him that he cannot speak for more than thirty minutes. These tactics, although clearly not coming from any party as a whole, will not enhance the reputation of the Opposition in any way. It is possible to forget that the criticism of the Finance Bill put forward by the Opposition has been at best weak and ill-directed. Probably Opposition speakers have felt that there was little use protesting, and have forgotten. that the part they play now, however much it appears to be wasted, will eventually lay the foundation of a new Government. But no elector, if he has a free mind, will be impressed by either Mr Poison or Mr Broadfoot in the circumstances of this week. Mr Nash has already a reputation for fairness and liberality which has only been enhanced by his opponents’ rashness and his own lack of venom.