SIR JOHN FINDLAY'S SPEECH.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13931, 13 July 1917, Page 4

SIR JOHN FINDLAY'S SPEECH.

The speech delivered by Sir John Findlay in the House last evening comes as a refreshing shower upon the desert of commonplace utterances. It is safe to say that no speecli has been anticipated with such lively interest, and no contribution to the Addressin-Rc-ply debate will arouse more comment. The fact that Sir John Findlay was looked upon as the most likeliest successor in the Cabinet to the late Dr McNab, and that his election for Hawkc's Bay, was regarded as opening the door to Cabinet honours has caused public interest to be foenssed upon the new member,'more especially as it is now stated,, on the very best of authority, that Sir John has no intention whatever of joining the 'National Cabinet. Hence the interest with which his first utterance as an elected member of the House was awaited. The splendidly independent tone of the speech will appeal to all sections of the community, and while it is interesting to note that Sir John will

support the present National Government, it is clear he will hold himself perfectly free to tell the Government plainly the mistakes they are making and to resist any measure which in his opinion is not calculated to promote the great purpose of winning the to; and lo assist, in forcing upon the vcniment, if necessary, the measures which he believes will best achieve that purpose. Should the

Government decide to regard any particular measure it introduces as one which, if defeated, would be tantamount to a vote of no-confi-dence, then that is their business. In the course of his speech Sir John was frankly critical. While making complimentary reference to the efforts of the National Cabinet, he was courageous enough to say that although their "mistakes had been as thick as dust in the vacant chambers," it must be re-

membered that their risks were novel, numerous, great and intricate. We rather fancy, however that Sir John put his finger on the weak spot when he quoted Edmund Burke to show that "a Cabinet comprised of isolated individuals without faith, plighted tic, or common principle, is an administration constitutionally impotent," mid he reminded the House that the essentials of a strong

I executive are mutual trust, loyal cohesion and collective courage. Three qualities, wc may be permitled to add, which the National Cabinet does not possess in any marked degree. Sir John made a strong point when he complained with some emphasis that the present National Government has taken the private members too little into its confidence. If the Government desired the whole-hearted co-operation of private members, it would-place these members far more fully than it does at present in possession of

all the information it regards as a warrant or justification for the measures or methods of administration it seeks to pass or pursue. This grievance is apparently fairly general among private members. Indeed the ordinary member has hi'i l " "turned out to grass'.' for eleven months, while grave and momentous problems have demand the earnest consideration of nmn legislators; id fact, the ordii> -'!iy member of Parliament knows no more about the affairs of the country then does the man ip;thV street, and sometimes a good deal less. Sir John charged the Government with weakness and indecision. "I am about to say,"

said the member for Hawke'sßay, ''that one of the outstanding weaknesses of the present fid ministration has been its failure to grasp the nettle of its difficulties—a timidity of action, and a policy of marking time, which. has gone far to dishearten those who support the principle of a national administration." Well said, Sir John! The member for Hawked Buy spoke well to the point when he.declared that if the National Government would secure the first requisite. of statesmanship—the confidence of the people, "they |TOiist.sliow less tender regard for sectional interests, a truer perception of. the-need and nature of equality of, sacrifice, and a> more courageous and wholehearted determination to- examine the great powers they have for the welfare of the people as a whole." Sir

John : contends that the policy of the National Government .should be based on equality of.Sacrifice, national efficiency "and national economy, arid generous treatment of the soldier and dependants. Sir John discussed with good effect the inequality of sacrifice under the present system and' exposed' the unsatisfactory state of affairs which permits one section of the community to go forward to fight, to bleed, to die, while others stay at home to grow rich out of the anguish of a nation fighting for its life. Thecostofliving'ancUhe settlement of returned soldiers were themes which Sir John earnestly discussed, and we hope the Government will take note. Sir John's speech is studied in its moderation and refreshingly well-rea-soned, and will be found to be a aluable contribution to the Parliamentary discussions of the burni topics of the day.