FORMAL OPPOSITION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14363, 31 July 1917, Page 6

FORMAL OPPOSITION.

\ PARLTASiENTARY DEVELOPMENT.

SIR JAMES CARROLL'S VIBWS

(From Our Parliamenwry Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this daj-. Events ar© moying'Vfiast m, tlie direction of the establishment of, a. formal Opposition to the National 1 Government m the House. It is being recognised that some critical authority is an essential, and that the absence of it reduces that portion of the House which is outside the Cabinet to a mere miscellaneous collection of "talkers. who need not be consulted by the Government. The ignoring of members' opinions on important matters is one of the strong grievances, which will lead to tlie formation of a recognised. Opposition*. : . "'■ ■ . . Tlie formation of the Coalition Government caused Sir "Joseph Ward to desert his front bench seat on the Opposition side, and to go over to ihe 'right 'of the Prime Minister. For a while there was no occupant for the vacant front bench seat.aised by Sir Joseph, but-,in time Mr Wilford (whose only competitor for the place had been Sir Witty i -gradually as-, sumed possession, of the Opposition .leader's seat, and to a certain extent a'so took up the .responsibilities', "attaching, to that strategic position for criticism. Tliis session Mr Wilford lias been continually urging the Government to give ihe House more information, but usually m vain, the most notable occasion being a. private one, when a considerable body of members, not all of one political -party, endeavored to secure an opportunity of discussing with .-"-. he .National. .Government leaders some phases of taxatidn. The interview was denied them, on the ground that these matters had been settled. But the N inciden.t .does, not augur, well for, a good reception of the Budget when it arrives during tlieTweek. ,i* Sir James Carroll has been an advocate of a formal Opposition ever since the National ; Government principle has been m operation m New Zealand. Two sessions., ago hei spoke ,m favor of a. recog-. liised Opposition, 'arid to-day, in -an interview with youi* correspondent, he repeated, the arguments m favor of the plan. ..."'.' '"•'.;.'.'. -V 7. " .-. .'.-.:.. . :.-;.

"By an Opposition, I mean," said Sir James, "not a party whicii . will "merely keep up the fusillade of criticism, against the Goveniment,. but a party which will see that tlie * business of the House \( conducted oh, .p#^per linets,, a.party which will see that the House is properly studied by, „and .that 'they give members, and 7through tliem, the country, the fullest information upon important, matters, which, pare con*vinuaUv. under review' ..When .17 was m England, VI noticed that there was always some form of Opposition fn ,thei House of Qo.mm.ons,, on. the Crown benches — not a party Opposition, but aii organisation, foi* criticising- and r suggesting .Improyehients to the National Government. It' is . not the old party Opposition,, but a kind of group system; which serves the .good purpose of keeping down unnecessary irritants, and ..- provddmg a deeper and sounder criticism of the questions of the day than, : can ; Vbe . secured. , by T a. gueri 11a Opposition. . ''Tlie unorganised Opposition m oui* own House, is a cause of great waste of time. :We hear tlie same questions being asked over and over again, and the same "arguments brought forward to the tirijig-ppint., ... Guerilla procedure is not,sati^fac^ory,..for it secures no objective; Organised Opposition will save the time of tlio House."

"Are we likely to get it?" Tasked. "Don't ask me that !?' replied Sir James with a smile/. "All .1 hope' is that the seed will drop on good soil."

Ordinary -tobacco Is liable to becomo mildewed on its way to our boys at tho front because of the humid, atmospheric conditions. Send Gold Pouch, the N.Z.v grown tohacco< It* will stand any change of climate and keep m perfect condition for any length of time. ... Gold Ponch will remind oiir boys of honie, for It ls grown m tho land they arc fighting fpr. Essentially a "soldier's tobacco, it contains hnt ij- por .cent, of nicotine, and will not affect the.iheart or- produce- dizziness, or nausea^ "Send!. your soldier a big bulging 2ioz. bag— only > is. If he's a cigarette smoker, send him the N.Z.grown Three pjamonds Tobacco.

Thir new. Tobacco is HIGH ADMIRAL — to go untried 7 is not wise. Get some now. Aromatic, or dark. Plug and, cut.*

Nasal Catarrh or Cold m the Head comes with! 'cold, wet weather. Don't wait ■> uritil". {fc has a strong hold upon you, but St the first sign use Nazol freely; j.^Tbi-osands - have proved its Jtorth.»-".J ;.";•-.- .7.::. ').'•:■}•- --v .. .. V . V V ' , „ ..-