PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17991, 30 October 1926, Page 8

PUBLIC OPINION.

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING. Drink in Parliament. It was a peculiarly disagreeable subject that the House of Commons debated on Tuesday, and most people will agree with the Prime Minister when he said that for the sake of its dignity the sooner the House disposed of the matter the better. Of Dr Salter's sincerity there can be no doubt. Outside the House he had referred to drunkenness among members, and when asked to express regret he declined in terms that compelled respect. He had seen members of all parties drunk in the House: this was within the common knowledge of all members: and he considered it affectation and hypocrisy for members to deny it.. Dr Salter is a strong temperance advocate, and men of his type are less inclined to compromise than men of more moderate views. Yet. even if he has not exaggerated at all. what good will come of his charges? It is inevitable that in an assemblv of 600 men, drawn from all classes, there shall be a few who drink more than is good for them. The point, is, however* first that they are only a few. and then that the proportion of immoderate drinkers is lower than it used to be. Dr Salter himself agreed that the present Parliament compared favourably with previous assemblies. —“Auckland Star.” X X X Stronger Than Ever. The course of events at the Imperial Conference so far have b«en a revelation to certain prophets of evil, who at the commencement predicted dissensions and even the beginniags of the dismemberment of the Emp.re. The rock upon which those people expected the Conference to split was the question of foreign . policy. Fi;cm the crucial session on that question emerged a new spirit. Empire unity, we are told, will be stronger than ever. Although the discussion on foreign policy was conducted in the strictest. seCrecy a lengthy statement convening in guarded language something of the atmosphere and general tendency of the proceed’*'— has been published. Its evidential value may not be so impressive as an official report, but. it has an air of authenticity which justifies the assumption that it is at least officially inspired. The most satisfying feature of the session is the evident determ nation of all concerned to discover a plan which will facilitate closer and speedier consultation in order to ensure a unity of front.—“ Dominion/’ Wellington.