PARNELL BY-ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20554, 3 May 1930, Page 13

PARNELL BY-ELECTION.

POLITICAL SITUATION.

review by ex-minister. LEGISLATION for labour. • UNITED policy of despair. Entering an Auckland election campaign for the first, time, tho Hon. W. Downie Stewart, M.P. for Dunedin West, and exAlinister of Finance, was given a splendid reception at St. Mark's Ilall, Remuera, last evening, when lie spoke in support of Mr. P- Eridean, the Reform candidate in the Parnell by-election. Long before the meeting began, all the accommodation had been taken, and many had to hear the address by means of tho amplifiers installed outside the hall. An enthusiastic ovation greeted tho appearance of Mr. Stewart. Mr. Stewart, was in splendid speaking form. He spoko in his customary dispassionate vein, succinctly analysing the present political situation, and devoting a considerable portion of his address to a dissection of the financial position of New Zealand during his period at the Treasury and since. Mr. Stewart said at the outset, that ho was glad to know that, although he ap pearod as a comparative stranger among them, the Parnell electors did not regard him as an intruder. Ho had not takei» part in the earlier stages df tho campaign, and he hoped that tho audienc© would check him if he dealt with subjects about which they had heard already. His object was merely to put before them as simply as possible tho political situation as it appeared to him. Government's Difficulties. "[t. is some years since I spoke in 'Auckland,'' continued Mr. Stewart. i*' Now in opposition, I am bowling instead of batting, and I can assure you it is very interesting." Ho trusted that the Parnell electors had not yet got political indigestion, and he hoped that he might, be able to pluck some of th?m like brands from the burning. After referring to the obvious difficulty of fitting the three-party system to a form of Parliamentary government designed for two parties only, Mr. Stewart pointed out that the Government was uncertain of being able to put its measures through, and also doubtful whether its legislation was agreeable to a majority of tho electors. The. Opposition also had to faco the difficulty of being opposed to an allianco not necessarily representing a majority of tho electors. Labour found itself in a peculiar and difficult, position. After a term as the official Opposition, it disliked being put back to be the third party in the House. Therefore it was wreaking vengeance upon tho Reform Party, which it regarded a3 standing between it and the Treasury benches. In the language of billiards. Labour was " snookered " and in golfing language " stymied." " Bonds of Unholy Matrimony."

" The United and Laboifv Parties last (session in what one might term tho bonds of unholy matrimony," continued Mr. Stewart. <■ " Our job was to prevent, if possible, tho passage of legislation contrary to tho interests of tho country. If you return Mr. Endean for Parnell you will help us to forbid the banns for the rest of this Parliament."

It was not. satisfactory that only legislation which suited the Labour Party should be put through. There was also a danger that the other parties might do what Reform had never done, namely, make extravagant promises that they could not carry out. There was no guarantee that if a dissolution- took place tho present difficulties would be cleared up. However, there was grave dissatisfaction in the United Party's ranks, and possibly in the coming session the position might be cleared up and a proper working basis established.

Labour Changing Policy. Later in his speech Mr. Stewart referred to a change of heart or change of front discernible in the outlook of tho Labour Party. For years Labour had been preachitrg the doctrine that "bosses were robbers and parasites" so assiduously R3 to defeat its objects. For years such views had been drawn from an alien source, namely Continental Socialism, but now Labour-was beginning to move on the soft pedal. Its platform was being nlteTed and modified. For instance, there were changes in the land settlement and defenco policies, and the party was beginning to recast its attitude on a great number of other questions. However, Jn the main, Labour still contended that the present system of society led t9 poverty, unemployment and other evils. "We say that may be so, but it is a system that provides work, livelihood and,homes for' millions of people, and that there is no guarantee that the drastic changes the Labour Party proposes will effect any improve me'nt," said Mr. Stewart. "We contend it is better to follow safe and sure methods aiuj to make step-by-step reform# lather than,To wipe out the present system in a night. Labour has seen that it lias not been making any headway with its old policy, and that it is better to move cautiously. I was impressed to read an interview given by Mr. D. G. Snlli van, the Labour member for Avon, after the recent Easter conference of the Labour Party. Mr. Sullivan said the conference had laid itself out to find tho rational -common-sense solution of tho various problems before it. rather than adopting di'rfstic methods " l " United Party Will Crumble." It was safe to say that all three parties had the same objective, but they differed in / their-methods of obtaining it, continued Mr. Stewart. The main line of demarcation was between Reform and Labour. In view of the circumstances attending the creation of the United Party, Mr. St ewart believed it was inevitable that that party would crumble, some going possibly to Labour, and others to Reform. Tho reason was that tho United Party was not founded on principles that differed fundamentally from thq principles of either of the other two parties. The United Party's policy was ft policy of despair. Mr. Stewart believed I lie decision of the country at the last general election was made on tho grounds* of temporary discontent with the Reform Party. Changes of Government were inevitable, as it was a rule in politics that the pendulum must swing.. Hoy.ever, lie believed now that the electors would see that the Reform Party was not so black as it had been painted, ami that the interests of the country would be best served by a party which did not make spectacular promises Jt could not. _ fulfil. For that reason it "would be helpful to the Reform Party and an indication of public opinion if the ♦lectors of Parnell could see their way flear on polling day to support and return the Reform candidate, Mr. Endean. A hearty burst of applause greeted Mr. Stewart on the conclusion of his speech. Jjater in the evening a vote of thanks o him for his address was enthusiastically parried, aiuf a call for cheers was lustilv responded to. '