A JUBILANT PARTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 10

A JUBILANT PARTY.

There was a justifiable note of exultation in the informal welcome given to two members of the new Government on their return to Auckland on Saturday morning. It is almost u decade since any city constituency was represented by a Minister of the Crown, and a long search must be made in political history to find a previous occasion when there were two. In these circumstances, tho spokesmen at the recoption could confidently express "on behalf of tho citizens of Auckland" welcome and congratulation to two citizens who, at tho outset of their careers in national politics, have been chosen for tho honours and the responsibilities of Ministerial office. It is regrettable that the occasion was used for more than the exchange of compliments that would have had such general endorsement. Tho partisan jubilation over the proceedings in Parliament would certainly not have been appreciated in a gathering representative of all tho citizens of' Auckland. Even if tho claim that Sir Joseph Ward is the only statesman in New Zealand had passed without challenge, there would have been murmurs of resentment at the boastful assertion that "the first proposition submitted by the United Ministry to Parliament went through unanimously." That might indeed bo said, since there was no call for a division at any stage of the Appropriation Bill, but it would bo a very misleading representation of the actual proceedings. Tho United Party claims that its policy will be tho "salvation" of New Zealand and lead to permanent prosperity. Mr. Coates has undertaken that his party will not refuse it opportunity to develop its plans, and on the introduction of the first, greatly modified, instalment, drew its attention to aspects which he suggested should receive further consideration, but, as he had promised, refrained from active obstruction. The claim that the proposals were unanimously accepted not only ignores the searching criticism by Mr. Coates and Mr. Stewart, but, by its implication that their party finally acquiesced, it is an ungrateful roquital for tho generous attitude of Mr. Coates toward the new Government. Of perhaps greater significance than the Reform Party's tolerance, which now appears to have been a tactical mistake, is the fact that not one member of tho United Party, in either the Ministry or the rank and file, rose to support its leader's proposals or to answer the criticism of them.