INDEPENDENT MEMBERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22261, 8 November 1935, Page 14

INDEPENDENT MEMBERS

WEAKNESS IN SYSTEM STRONG GOVERNMENT NEEDED [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] SHEFFIELD. Thursday Some plain comment on the position of independent members in Parliament was made yesterday by the Priino Minister, Mr. Forbes, when addressing a meeting of electors. "It will bo a bad day for Now Zealand if, as a rosult of the elections, the Government has to depend on independents," he said. "After long Parliamentary experience I say the independent member is a weakness. Any Government that sets out with a definite programme must bo able to depend on the loyal support of the men returned to support it. The member who only gives popular measures enthusiastic support, but rushes into the other lobbies when tho legislation is unpopular, is no good either to a Government or to anybody else. Nothing can weaken any Government more than that. The Government must be placed in a position in which it can rely on loyal assistance when it is necessary to say 'no ' in the best interests of tho country. "Wo have had the experience in other countries of Governments being at tho mercy, or caprice, of independents. In every case, instead of having a solid Government, with a definite, idecisivo, consistent policy, you find a weak and wobbling administration. Some people say wo should have another system of election, that we should have proportional representation, or preferential voting, which would ensure tho return of a number of independents. It would bo a very bad thing indeed if there was a number of independents in tho House. They would be in a position to bargain with tho Government. Tho result at its best would bo a weak administration, with much backing and filling, instead of a ficm policy and n definite programme. "There can be no progress where tho Government depends on men who fail to support it when tho first cold blast of unpopularity comes. Nothing will do more to bring the polities of this country into disrepute than return a Government in circumstances compelling it to rely ori independents to keep it in office. I hope, as tho result of the election, a party will bo returned which will enable us to do what is right in the interests of all tho people. A strong Government, with a strong definite Opposition, has a tremendous infiuenco on" tho legislation and tho reputation of Parliament." ■