The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 1931. THE SESSION.

Southland Times, Issue 21430, 26 June 1931, Page 6

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 1931. THE SESSION.

The long Address from the Throne with which Parliament opened yesterday was occupied for the most part with a survey of the events of and .arising out of the short session, and some references to the trend of events in the brief interim; but while there are some hints concerning the legislation to come, there is nothing tangible about the principal subject of the present session: the measures to be taken by the Government to meet the financial requirements of the year, nor is there anything of real import touching major questions of policy. It was not anticipated, of course, that the Prime Minister would say much on these important matters, and Mr Forbes certainly has furnished the Governor-General with an interesting address, even if it includes insufficient substance to permit the House to form any idea of the direction the session is to take. Mr Forbes has mentioned that he does not propose to present a large legislative programme, and the session is not likely to be as long as usual, but it will be one of the most important in the history of the Dominion, and unquestionably the doings of the House will be watched by a public on tip-toe with expectancy quite prepared for anything, even an election earlier than usual. In this session Mr Coates, it is expected, will guarantee the Government support as he did in the short session, in which his firm adherence to this purpose played such a vital part. The Prime Minister must be able to count on the support of the Reform Party in any measures for the national good, and it is dear, if the record of the short session is search•ed, that Mr Coates was ready to share to the full the responsibility for the measures he and his party assisted to make law. There is no reason at all why, in the spirit of co-operation, a similar course should not be possible in this session, making constructive criticism possible, without involving the Government in any serious difficulties so long as vital principles are not involved. The Labour Party will undoubtedly attack the Government at every available point, and if it is true to its avowed intentions it will not miss any chance to force an election; but it cannot achieve this alone and it is not likely to have the support of the Reformers on any socialistic proposal. On the other hand the Labour members seem to be ready to take . advantage of any adverse motion moved by the Reformers, and so the position of Mr Forbes is secure so long as he recognizes that the Reform Party is steering a course to assist and not to hamper him. It would be interesting, as a matter of fact, to search the records of the House since the Reform Party went into Opposition and Mr Coates made his declaration that at no time would the Reformers offer’ fractious opposition to the new Government. It would be interesting, because the records will show how well Mr Coates has kept that pledge. It is true that once the party indulged in a stonewall, but the subsequent session saw that staunch fight justified by the Prime Minister himself in unequivocal terms. Outside of that the record of the Opposition has been free of fractious displays, and it is therefore with confidence that we look forward to the coming session as a period in which Mr Forbes will obtain all the assistance he can inspire.