A DULL DEBATE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19527, 9 July 1925, Page 8

A DULL DEBATE.

The proceedings in the House of Representatives have not been marked so far this session by incidents productive of lively interest. The debate on the Address-m-Rcply has lacked little of its accustomed dulness and prolixity. It has indeed been more dull than usual. The explanation of this is obvious enough. While the negotiations for a fusion between the Reform and Liberal parties continue—and, despite rumours to the contrary, they seem to have not been broken otf —the Liberals are unable to exercise the ordinary functions of an Opposition. Their sincerity in entering into the fusion negotiations would plainly be impugned by themselves if they were to subject the Government to criticism of the kind which is recognised as legitimate on the part of the Opposition. A few of their number have spoken colourlessly in the course of the debate; others have refrained from taking part in it at all. They would have nothing to gain and perhaps something to lose by acrimonious activity. The debate may, of course, serve as a convenient method of communication between members and their constituents through the medium of Hansard. Ouo speaker on Tuesday said frankly that he did not desire to discuss matters of general politics,—he wished to direct attention to the requirements of his own district. Ho may have his reward at the gener-l election. Labour has talked with characteristic vehemence and equally characteristic irrelevance, and vivacious interchanges have not been altogether lacking; but there will be thanks for reliel when the "dreary drip of desultory

discussion'” has terminated. It is understood that the legislative programme of the session will not be extensive, but it should be proceeded with, whatever its dimensions may be, without unnecessary delay caused by discussive verbosity. The return of Mr Downie Stewart this week is an incident calling for appreciative notice. The Minister of Customs, presumptive Minister of Finance, has a conspicuous place in the esteem alike of Parliament and people, and there is a general and confident hope that he has many years of valuable sendee for New Zealand in store. The removal of Mr Massey has left a void which, for the time, can only be filled by increased intellectual endeavour on the part of those he left behind. The complementary qualifications of Mr Coates and Mr Stewart may be considered to furnish a guarantee of wise policy and shrewd parliamentary management. 1 ' Mr Stewart’s grasp of the principles and details of economic questions is a powerful factor in debate, and the heretic extremists are known to regard it as a formidable obstacle. Empirical amateurs do not relish the lone of a debater who knows what be is talking about. Whether the session be barren or fruitful, it will, we think, be clouded by a sense of disappointment, felt perhaps more strongly in the country than in Parliament, if a settlement of the artificial difficulties between the Reform and Liberal parties is not effected before the general election. We are convinced that the majority of the electors would gladly welcome an adjustment terminating the three-party system and obviating the danger of factious triangular contests.