AIMLESS DEBATE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1929, Page 12

AIMLESS DEBATE.

Whatever may bo thought of the general remarks.of the leader of the Labour Party in the House of Representatives (Mr. 11. E. Holland) his plea that the futile and aimless debate upon the Ad-dress-in-Reply should bo brought to a close 'will meet with general support throughout the country. There are grave questions awaiting Parliament, some of them are bound to involve questions of policy that may imperil the existence of the present Ministry, and others that will require the combined intelligence and application of all political parties if differences are to be overcome. It was satisfactory to learn from the member for New Plymouth (Mr. S. G. Smith) that Parliament appears to be approaching its tasks with less aggressive party feeling and action than has been tho case for some years. If this continues there may be more justification for the three or four-party system than. w-as thought possible. So far as the present debate is concerned it can be said without exaggeration that it has simply marked time. There has been no suggestion of any moment made by a single speaker, and the criticism of the past or tho present administration has been what the soldiers in war time used to designate as “eyewash.'’ It seems an integral part of the Parliamentary system that members must have an opportunity of airing their views on things in general, and it would seem that they are still eager to do so. It is now a fortnight since the session opened, and, apart from the provision of tho necessary supply, very little actual work appears to have been accomplished. All parties seem to have been equally loquacious, and it is to be hoped Mr. Holland's suggestion will be accepted by his own followers. It is a pity that in making it he.could not resist what was rather a cheap gibe at the Government’s policy in Samoa. Competent observers who have, as Mr. Holland has not, had tho opportunity of seeing conditions there for themselves are convinced that the present Administrator’s methods are winning through, and that the unrest is dying out. It is statements such., as those made by Mr. Holland in regard to Samoa which tend to lengthen profitless discussion, and the Labour leader might well profit by his own advice.