THE POLITICAL TEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18322, 12 February 1923, Page 8

THE POLITICAL TEST.

BTRSNQTH ,OF THE ' PARTIES. DEBATE OPENS TO-NIGHT.' WARM DISCUSSION LIKELY. ' RIVAL OPPOSITION FACTIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL REPORTERWELLINGTON. Sunday. Three half-days of the test session have sufficed to reveal the temper rather than the capacity of the new Parliament. The mood is fractious, very sensitive, ; and deliberately provocative. ft has. been made very clear that party interest .dominates the House. This was inevitable in the singular circumstances. It will bo some time yet before affairs of Stalo oome to bo seriously considered. There has been no political hypocrisy on the part of the Government respecting the purpose of the sesion. It has been staled frankly that a clear, quick, and definite decision as to the alignment of parties is the only business. . There ,is w be no legislation at all. • - The method? of the bifurcated Opposition have been more pretentious. Different members of each branch have given notice, to introduce Bills. I These are impressive as., .to title, and ; touch on electoral reform, a Dominion Stats bank, agricultural banks, housing and unemployment. The Liberals ' .sponsor the electoral and financial Bills, 'and Labour is behind the social and industrial proposals. It should be understood "that all are merely phantom measures, paraded for party service. Their sponsors will ho able to tell the country later with something like emotion that if , the Government had been prepared the Liberals and Labour were ready to legislate on progressive lines. It is but part of th® great game. . ?

Tactics ol the ■ Parties. The . personalities of, the new Parliament invite comment, but as ; all parties are rather tender under any kind of criticism in these days, it may ;• bo wise to adopt the policy of " better not." It may be said, however, that the whole character of 'the Labour Opposition has been changed by success at the polls. Augmentation of Eaemb&rg.' has increased Labour \ political militancy. The former group has become a strong, party, with a passion for Parliamentary prestige. It is " out for scalps," ; and the knife, so to speak,, will cut as keenly on the Liberals as among the Government Party. Labour means to become the official Opposition, and all its tactics run to that goal. _ " _ The Liberal Party is - conscious: of the threat, and will have to fight with all its wits to avert it. The fighting , strength of both opposition parties is almost equal, now. It is this fact that enhances the Government's prospect of securing a working majority. : . The Three-Party System. The outstanding and really , the only lesson from the preliminaries of "the session is . the unsatisfactory, effect, of the three- system without : a clear-cut majority for any one party. The System in practice stifles every form of Parliamentary and even administrative activity. There is no lack of movement, but it runs in a vicious circle. It is quite interesting,: and rather entertaining in some aspects, but the country needs direct and interrupted progress. As things are, many matters of national-importance are necessarily suspended. ~ The > Administration has to mark time with leaden feet.

Il is, now clear that- the manner, in which/the party differences in the Australian Federal Parliament -have' been temporarily composed by the formation of a composite Ministry has impressed very deeply members ox. the/Dominion's new Parliament. There is now less antagonism : to the question ,of - a practical fusion to a limited extent. It should be clearly understood, however, "chat • neither of the parties which have but . little difference in political principles and policy has yet spoken freely of making a : ; serious effort toward establishing a " two-party system ' in. Parliament, which obviously' would make for immediate and effective legislation' and administrative 1 ; progress. Something may yet be evolved, but not yet Party feeling is 1 realty too * bitter for anything in the form of coalition. Ambition is sometimes blind, and 'there are many ambitious men in the new Parliament, where, every veteran, to sas the least, carries a portfolio in 'hi*..portmanteau. It is practically/ certain that the eesuion will be foueh^tout as ; a .triangular contest, with the balance -of '.advantage to the Government in. 'the end. It may he added that no member in his heart wants another general ejection. "When men narrow! escape drowning they are not, as a rule, "too ready to dive again soon into the same dangerous stream. Ddratloo of the Session;. . ! . *...'..V ' It is penerally anticipated! that the'session will run for abo*"t-another fortfaight. ere are two no-confidence motions sto be dismissed, and also ' the Labour fader's interesting motion in regard, to the alleged i breach of privilege by ,th 6 Christchurch Press. t • Ibe . Labour Party has • alreadv shown that it does not favour either Ki'pnce or brevity. Its members Will probably, have a great deal "to sav about- everything, and there is alwavs the chance of the party spririzinc, another.' smrnrise on the House. Its zeal is irrepressible. ,'lt is impossible to fudrre so early as .this? how long the .Addresy-in-Peply debate is. -likely. to continue, but the session, win be con : siderably shortened by the " Government's decision to have morning, sitting,. . The firjjfc of these may be held on Wednesday. Imorrow evening the debate will 'be opened by the mover and seconder, Messrs. Girling and McLeod. The third speaker will be the Leader of the Oppo- j sltion Mr. T, M.' Wilfo'd. ' who will probably be followed bv'a Minister. v " '