AIR OF SERENITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26542, 18 August 1947, Page 4

AIR OF SERENITY

QUIET WEEK IN THE HOUSE NO BUDGET FORECAST FATE OF OPPOSITION BILL Political Correspondent WELLINGTON, Aug. 17. Apart from Mr Holland’s Legislative Council Abolition Bill, which ran its predestined course and expired gracefully on Wednesday evening, there was little of a controversial nature before the House during the past week, and the general atmosphere was one of unruffled serenity. It is true that Mr McLagan again displayed a tendency to inject an acid note into what was otherwise an even-tempered debate, but Mr P. Kearins soon restored an air of good humour, and again showed those amusing qualities of original expression which the House has enjoyed on previous occasions. Had the original order of debate been followed, Mr W. A. Sheat would have followed Mr McLagan, and no doubt would have accepted the challenge thrown out by the Minister in what was undoubtedly a somewhat provocative speech at that stage. However, Mr Holland decided to call off further Opposition speakers in order to lay the responsibility on the Government if the Bill was talked out. Mr Kearins, who followed when no Opposition speaker claimed the floor, said it seemed that the Opposition had thrown in the towel, and then to the Opposition’s unfeigned satisfaction, proceeded to declare that the abolition of the Upper Chamber had always been in the Labour Party’s policy, that it was the Government’s duty to implement that policy, and that he “ hoped to bring them back to the straight and narrow path.” Mr F. Langstone, in excellent form, followed in muph the same strain, but he, like Mr Kearins, stoutly if unconvincingly maintained ( 4hat Mr Fraser's amendment rather than Mr Holland’s Bill would serve the desired purpose In the subsequent divisions,. Mr J. J. Maher, although present in the House, was paired with Mr O’Brien, and this gave the Government a majority of two, which, although not large, is clearly sufficient for immediate necessities. Merely Marking Time Other legislation ! before the House involved no important questions of principle, and evoked few differences of opinion. Once again, it was-evi-dent that during much of the week the House was merely marking time. That this, view was shared by the back-benchers was apparent from’the number of benches which remained empty, particularly on Friday, when the House solemnly went through the formality of debating the change in the title, of his Majesty the King consequent on political developments in India. As usual, Mr F. W. D'oidge, one of Parliament’s keenest students of international affairs, made an interesting contribution, and warned the House that acceptance of dominion status by India and Pakistan might prove to be nothing more than an ingenious temporary device. Several Hindus in the. gallery listened with evident interest to this debate. Well-informed comment on foreign affairs was also heard on Thursday, when Mr R. M. Algie consolidated his reputation with a lucid and comprehensive survey marked by an objective approach which drew ungrudging applause from Government members. When Mr J. Mathison, who followed, paid him'the unusual compliment of describing it as “ masterly,” it was difficult to believe that this was the same assembly in which bickering party rancour so often impairs the mutual respect which might otherwise prevail. Mr Mathison himself deserves credit for a thoughtful and Well-de-livered speech. His competent debating style marks him out as a useful addition to the Government Party. Mr G. H. O. Wilson is another who has gained in stature since the start of the session, his rather chatty speeches being always notable for sincerity and regard for opposing viewpoints. Secret Ballot Topic The question whether the Government will persist in legislation for secret ballots on strikes continues to provide a fruitful field for speculation. Expectations that the Bill would return to the House during the week after the hearing of evidence from interested parties by the Labour Bills Committee were not realised. Interest has now been heightened by a report current in trade union quarters that the Federation of Labour declined to give evidence before the committee. Nevertheless, the general belief in the lobbies is that the Government intends to go ahead with the Bill. Misgivings as to the wisdom of this course have been expressed by some Government members, but others feel that it is too late to retreat. Others, again, affirm that the Federation of Labour only declared itself against the proposal by a very narrow margin, and that the rank and file of trades unionists do not feel as strongly on the matter as the pronouncements of their leaders would lead the public to believe. As Mr Nash guards his Budget secrets closely, any effort to predict the contents would be mere idle conjecture. There is no doubt, however, that his announcement of intention to withdraw subsidies has raised momentous questions which during the past week superseded all others as (cii’cs of political discussion. Possibly it is' mere wishful thinking on their part, but several well-informed Opposition members appear to think that the Government’s chickens are at last coming home to roost and that consequently Mr Nash’s 1947 Budget has been giving him more headaches than usual.