The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1924. KEEPING THE BRIDGE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 1 July 1924, Page 6

The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1924. KEEPING THE BRIDGE.

-Notwithstanding' the jibes of tlie cnugriueu nauerai-Jjaoour Tarty, anu me louuiy expressed hostility ui the JLuDour Tarty, the people of *\ env Zealand nave ey*rry reason to appreciate the innexi ure determination- or the ' 'jjaumies,', Three'' as the critics aie calling them, who Dy assisting- the Uovernment to avert defeat on Triday evening- saved the country from the burly burly of a general election. Undoubtedly, both the followers of Mr Mb fiord and the comrades of Mr Holland are openly hostile in their feelings to the three members who, by preferring to follow Mr Massey rather than other- parties are m reality discharging their election obligations. At a late stage in the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill Hr Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) twitted Mr Massey with his being- kept in pow-er by two members ot the Liberal Party. lie particularly singled out Mr isitt in this connection. Mi Isitt has. not yet been able to put in an appearance in the House this session, and Mr Massey rather resented this criticism of a member’s actions in hi.s' absence. Referring to the matter later, Mr Massey said he had often admired . Mr Holland’s straig-htfonvardness, and ho • admired the way in which he had been able to play the party game, hut. he could not admire the attitude he had taken up that night in regard to the lion, member for Christchurch. North, who was not in the. House. He thought Mr Holland should have deferred his remarks until that member was present. “The member .for Dullercontinued Mr Massey, “knows perfectly well that Mr Isitt made a pledge, to his con’stituents when he was a candidate at the last election that lie would endeavour tb save the country from the Red Feds, both by vote and voice.” Mr .Massey went, on to explain that Mr Isitt has stated that he would vote to keep the party referred* to from political power. In voting as he did _he has kept his pledge, and nothing .less could be expected of liiim ,“tie left the so-called Liberals,” said’Mr Massey, “when he conies ovel- to this side and lie gets into the company of better Liberals than the others. It would be history repeating- itself—Homin'" and his two.comrades holding the fort against the foe in Italy. Those two honourable members have held the fort with me, and 1 hope they he able to hold the- fori till the. end of the session,” It might be said that, the Government has lost its majority and should not hold the Treasury benches, but the stern fact remains that the. combined forces of the Opposition have failed to defeat Mr Masseyon a no-confidence motion. Hence it. is Mr Massey’s duty, 'despite what Mr Wilford and Mr Holland may say to the'eojatrary, to hold the fort until compelled to capitulate before superior numbers. Mr Massey is unquestionably-, a skilled parliamentary tactician. Hence the remote possibility of a rash election being- indulged in to placate the opponents of the government. * Mr Baldwin fancied lie was obeying the heavenly vision by appealing- to the British electors, and though he was transparently sincere in his desire- to permit, the people to express their opinion on the great question he submitted for their consideration, his opponents charged him with unfair tactics and sought to place the blame upon the shoulders of his party for the turmoil and interruption in trade- inseparably •associated with a general election. Mr Baldwin was badly beaten, although his Party polled considerably more votes than in tho previous contest. General Smuts, too, fancied he could outgeneral the opposing forces by striking before their election plans were complete, but he was- quickly awakened from his political dreaming. Both Mr Baldwin and General Smuts forced their respective countries into the confusion and turmoil of a general election with inevitable results. Mr Massey has no right to give a single thought to a general election until he is unable to control a majority of the- House. There may be wise-acres who counsel the Reform Party to seize a favourable moment for a dramatic appeal, but the. salutary admonishment administered to both Mr Baldwin and General Smuts should convince the most i one-sided partisans that the country 7 does not relish a general election unless such _ an appeal is absolutely unavoidable.