FRUITS OF CO-OPERATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22422, 17 November 1934, Page 14

FRUITS OF CO-OPERATION

AUSTRALIAN. POLITICS NEW SOUTH WALES EXAMPLE (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, November 8. After the ■ stormy passages which marked the negotiations, in the Federal sphere, for co-operation between the United Australia Party and the Country Party it was refreshing to turn to the New South Wales Parliament this week and note the ease with which a similar agreement was reached there in readiness fdr the State elections to be held early next year. The two parties have long recognised that their ideas on the government of the country have be m broadly identical, and that minor _ disagreements might safely be left to joint discussions when the time arose. Ever since Mr Lang was dismissed from office the two parties have been able to work hand in hand. According to the new agreement this state of affairs is to continue, and there is to be no vote-split-ting at the next elections. As a matter of fact,, the New South Wales Cabinet, with the parties opposed to extreme Labour, has been a particularly happy family, and if the same measure of happiness can be secured in the new Federal Cabinet then Australia is assured of a period of stable Government which should be of the utmost benefit to the country as a whole. It has been recalled that for two Parliaments the Federal parties opposed to extreme Labour were able to proceed amicably in coalition, but the financial crisis raised many difficulties, and eventually the parties split on the all-import-ant tariff policy. Tariff is not a matter that affects the States so the New South Wales coalition went along smoothly, and is likely to continue to do so. Abotc all things, the public calls for a stable Government, and although some of the rank and file of both parties ore far from satisfied with what has oeen achieved by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Country Party it is hoped that some arrangement will be made which will ensure the permanency of the coalition. . Following the announcement of the new Federal Cabinet this week there should be no complaint from the Country Party that its strength and prestige have not been fully recognised. The Prime Minister has gone further than many of his followers would have gone, and it is evident that he was impressed with the strength of public opinion in favour ot a commonsense agreement. There have been certain concessions, too, in the matter of the tariff, but it is still dear that important decisions in this regard must be left to Parliament as a who:e. This wii! protect the country against any rash departure from the protection ist policy which has been in force tor so long now—a policy that has coaa* to stay, even though modifications might he permitted. It is agreed that the new Federal Cabinet is stronger than it was. This may mean a more determined grappling with the great problems of the day.