PRESS COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1313, 16 December 1911, Page 6

PRESS COMMENTS.

DISTINCT MAJORITY AGAINST ; WARDISM. INTERESTING- SITUATION MAT ARISE.-. fflj Telernsli.—Soecial OorrusondcnU Auckland, December 15. On tho Tesult of !tho scoond ballot the •"Herald'" Bays:—Had it not been for the strong entrenchment of tlio Government, in tho south, a defeat bo crushing would have been inflicted upon tho . Ministry that tho British world would havo classed tho downfall of Wardism with tho collapse of Laurierism. As' things were, however, the disputed southern electorates stood generally for tho Government, although oven the south felt tho wave of Reform. _ That tho elections of 151t have closed with a decisive, although narrow 1 Reform victory, will only bo disputed by argumentative partisans. ■ When all alloivanep is made for doubtful members m"' "neertai'i affiliations, it is indubitttble that a distinct majority in the new-]y-eleoted Parliament have pledged themselves to support a vote of no-confidenco in the Ward Administration. Thirtyseven membors of tho Heform party havo been returned, and in the event of a noconfidenco motion, Mr. Massey can rely 1..U sujHKH'i. 01 the iiKiepeudent Opposition member for Nelson (Mr. Atmore) and of three Labour representatives— Veitch /Wangnnni), Robertson (Otaki), and Payho (Grey-Lynn). It is possible, of coiifsc, that Sir Joseph Ward may revise to tako this view, and may liold office until that vol® of no-confidence is actually given in an assembled Parliament, in which event an interesting situation will arise, and ono which should be fruitful of noteworthy incidents; but,no delav can affect the actual situation, whiph is that tlio end of tho Continuous Government is within sight, and that tho "tallica" policy is doomed with it. But although the Ward Administration is doomed, and falls unregretted by tho people of New Zealand, we may anticipate a tempestuous political period owing to the closo comparative strength of parties. Another election in 1912 is not improbable. VIEWS OF A MINISTERIAL ORGAN. PRIME MINISTER CANNOT WITH DIGNITY CONTINUE IN OFFICE. iHj Telegraph—'SticciaJ Correspondent.! Auckland, Tho Auckland "Star" says: In spito of. tho fact that Liberalism 13 still supported by a great majority of the voters throughout the Dominion, tho Liberal Government, afteT twenty-one years of success, has at last met defeat,_ if not disaster. Whether wo explain this sudden turn in tho course of political affairs _ as tho result of a natural reaction ngainst & party so long in officc, or whether we attribute it to tho splitting of tho Libcra.l vote, or tho lack of preliminary organisation, or tho omergenco ot tho Labour party as a decisive factor in tn© political struggle, tho fact remains that Bit Jweph Ward can no longer count upon tho support of a majority of tho Dumber. 1 -' of tho Hon;-o of Representative. We incline to tho view exposed toy mor; tii-m nrio of the southern Liberal (>i-:r:iTt<-. (Ml Sir Joseph Ward cannot, with any dignity, or with .parEyuHmt ad-

vantage to his parly, continue to hold office under tho existing conditions. There is nothing to be gained by attempting to carry on the arduous work of administration and . legislation without being sure of support. Whatever wo may think of Mr. Massey's polities or his controversial methods wo agree with tho "Lyttelton Times" that for the moment ho ha 3 behind him a more compact and dependable body of followers than the party led ■by Sir Joseph Ward. To persist in holding office without some definite prospect of controlling tho country's policy would bo only to court defeat and humiliation, and wo believe that the Liberals have much to gain and nothing to lose by throwing tho responsibilities of government for the timo_ being on • tho shoulders of Mr. Massey, for Mr. Massoy can no more command a working majority in the Houso as now constituted than Sir Joseph Ward, and when Mr. Massey in turn has been ■driven speedily to admit the impracticability of carrying on tho administration of tho country with a Parliament as now constituted, the time will havo come for another appeal to tho people for an intelligible mandate on clearly-defined political issues. "WARDISM AT AN END." THE NEW ORDER. ! (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.! Christchurch, Deccmbe? 15. •' The "Press," dealing with tlio result of the elections says, in tho course of its leading article: "Throughout the length and breadth of the country wo believe thcro will bo rejoicing this morning over the fact that tho Government have been defeated and Wardism is at an ond. There is, of course, tho disturbing factor to bo faced that throe Maori members have still to be elected, and it remains to be seen how they and the Independent members will rango themselves. The feeling against the Government, however, is so strong and so clearly expressed that we believe Mr. Massey will not havo much difficulty in forming a Ministry which will be ablo to hold its own. It is clear that Sir Joseph Ward cannot do this, and . if a dissolution is forced, tho result will certainly bo to increase Mr. Masses following. Wo havo no hesiiar tion in saying, therefore, that Wardism is at an end. and that tho.ro is every prospect of a salutary chango in the Administrate and Government of this country. Mr. Mnsnay has achieved a great victory, and if ever a man deserved to bo unrcsorvedly congratulated it is tho Leader of tho Opposition. For long years, with steadfast purpose and unswerving determination, ho has battled away for what lio believed to be right. Ho has met with constant discouragement, chiefly from tho apparent apathy of tho public, but sometimes even from his own sido who despaired of making headway against tho immense influence which can bo exerted by a Government in power expert- in 'managing -1 constituencies, and determined t»> use its resources to tho fullest extent. Ho has every right to bo proud of tho verdict of the country, and wo congratulate him most heartily on the result. It is obvious that Parliament must now be oallod together o.s soon as possible after tlio holidays. It would be liighly unconstitutional foT a Ministry to continue iu office for any length of tiir.o after it has lost tho conlideaoo of the oeunby, ot to garionn W

but; formal or urgently neci>s*\ry acta of administration. AYo do i>ol\ for ox* ample, think that his Kxeollt'iuT coultJ, in existing eircuinsUuiee>, aproc hi ll»o appointment of a successor to .Sir iiliam llall-Jonos an Jlitfli ('oiiirnteMoner, on tho recommendation of Sir .!o?oph Ward, nor could ho properly appoint any members to the Legislative Council on I ho .si mo recommendation. AVo think, therefore, ifc mnv bo taken for granted that Parliament will bo summoned for the dispatch of i business early in January. Tf Aliirstcrs ' tender their resignations, Mr. Mnssey will be sent for, and will procced to form : his Cabinet. If the Premier j refer* to test the fueling of the House, Mr. Massey will tablo a motion of v/ant cf eonScience, which we have no doubt will be carried, and the formation of tho Ministry will then proceed in Viio course. In any case, it is •evident that politics in this country have cnt J r<M J upon an entirely new phase, and that tho proceedings during tho nwt session will be invested with an amount of interest unparalleled since tho late party came into power with such a largo majority in ISOO. ~ . Concluding an article on tho result or tho second ballots, tho "Press" remains: —"Tho return of Mr. Millar fer Ilunodin West is ono of the p ew crumbs of comfort left for our JCinisneri.il t™*™ to pick np. It is hardly likmy that Sir Joseph "Ward, who lias led Ins party to disaster, will bo ablo to do very in tho way of retrieving its shattered fortunes. Wo fancy that it is to Air. Millar the other sido must look for its futuro leader. At present the playedout party is not only shattered in numbers, but is conspicuously weak in front benchmen. A sojourn in the wilderness for a time will afford it tlie best chance for recuperation." „ Under tho heading The New Ordor, the "Press" Bays: Looking to the notdistant future when, as wo believe, Mr. Massey will be called upon to submit his detailed policy as Primo Minister to tho House, and the country we feel suro of olio thing, and that is that it will be no reactionary policy. It must be broad, sympathetic, and progressive, or else tho Uoforrn party will not remain very long m power, and will not deserve to do su. There is a great deal to be dono in improved administration. The High Commissioner's office aiono oilers immenso possibilities in this direction. The Agricultural Department (3.11 h. niAuO a more live institution, and of much. more practical value to the farmers. Tho Hallways and Postal Departments offer great scope for improvement and for increased concessions to the public; but, above all, there must l>o sympathy with the workers, und expression must bo given to it in some practical form.' Ono of tho greatest difficulties which the Reform party has had to contend with has been tho systematic misrepresentation of its attitude with regard to Labour. It will bo for Mr. Massey and his colleagues to show that the prejudice which has been so sedulously excited against them is without foundation; that not only are they sincerely desirous of benefiting all classes of the community, but that thoir policy will :confer mora real and lasting benefit on tho working section of tho community thau all tho delusive nostrums of tho played-out party. These were pleasing enough in theory, but somehow in practice they failed to bring about any real improvement in tho lot of those for whom 1 they wero devised. THE PRIME MINISTER'S POSITION. DEPENDENT ON THE FOUIt MAORI MEMBERS. (By TcJecraph.—Special Correspondent.) Christohurch, December 15. • The "Times" admits that, apart from the splendid successes tbey have achioved in Canterbury, tho progressive parties will find little matter for congratulation iu the results of yesterday's elections. It gives the Opposition 37 members, Government 33, Independent 3, and Labour 1, and assumes that the three Maori members who remain to bo elected will doubtless be found sitting on the Government sido of tho House. It appears likely, therefore, continues the "Times," that the Government would have to depend upon a nominal majority of four—tho four Maori members, in fact—and wc hardly think that Sir Joseph Ward will elect to retain office with such a narrow margin of uncertain support. Wo should not care to do so ourselves if we were in his position. We should prefer to allow Mr. Massey to meet the new House, which cannot endure for more than a session, and to get to tho country again as speedily as possible. Willi the clear cut issues that should uow divide the two parties it would be simply a waste of time and of temper and prestige to'attempt to pass progressive legislation with a majority which might fade away at any time in a critical moment. Except in actual' numbers and in Parliamentary experience and ability, tho Opposition holds the stronger position in tho House whatever may be its position in tho country. The members are a compact body of voters who will not bo diverted from their allegiance to tho loader of tho party in tho hour of his triumph. They were not elected to harbour any high ideals of independence. The Government party, on the contrary, contains several gentlemen who might find it convenient to give a very emphatic expression to their preference for measures rather than men. The revolt of the Labour party has given tho Conservatives the opportunity, and they hare seized it with an avidity that cannot be denied, or for tho moment resisted. Tho progressive parties can recover their old dominant position as soon as they care to'bury their differences and put their house in order, and in the meantime there is no need for recrimination or despondency. They represent an enormous majority in the constituencies, and this reverse is but tho stepping-stone from which they will mount to a still more brilliant and useful career. "WILL THE GOVERNMENT RESIGN?" THE ESTABLISHED PRACTICE. (By Telegraph— Spccial Correspondent.! Duncdin, December 15. Tho "Otago Daily Times," in analysing tho election results, assigns Messrs. fthodc-s, Clark, lsitt, and Coates among the Independents, and Mr. llindmarsh (Labour) to the Government, and Messrs. Atmoro (Independent), and Payne, Veiteh and Koberttou (Labour) to tho Opposition, thus bringing the Ministerial total to 3ti; and the Opposition to 41, and giving tho latter an absoluto majority in the new House. It then proceeds: "iVill the Government resign : j "That is tho practical question aboiu which the public will to-dav'bo curious. It is plain—though Sir Joseph Ward professes his inability at present to see it—tliat Ministers aro in a minority. When every allowance is rnado in their favour, they cannot muster one half of tho new House. The established practice for the past thirty years in Home politics has been that when the vote of tho electorates is unfavourable to a Government tho Prime. Minister docs not wait for formal expulsion from offico by Parliament before 'he tenders his resignation. The custom at one time was certainly. for the Government to accept its dismissal only from Parliament assembled. Mr. DisTacli, however, departed from this custom in 18G8, and tho precedent that was then established by him has been followed over since in British politics, and has been observed also in tho Dominion. If, however, Sir Joseph Ward is not immediately prepared to accept tho votes of tho electors as notice to tho Government to quit, it is clear that Parliament should" be summoned to meet at tho earliest possible date in order that it may have the opportunity of expressing its judgment ou the question whether tho present Ministers are to bo allowed lo continuo in office. That a Government which does not possess tho confidence of tho electors should remain in power is highly undesirable, and if Ministers profess to be doubtful concerning tho clTcct of the vote which electors have recorded, tho only way whereby their donbts maybe resolved is by submission of the point to an early session of Parliament" THE HON. J. A. MILLAR'S AMBITION. WHAT THE DtTNEDIN "STAR" THINKS. (By Tdesrapli.—Special Corrcapondent.l Duncdin, December 15. The "Evening Star" , to-night states that tho right thing will be to call Parliament together in January. The only 1 condition that could warrant postponement to the middle of the year would b? a clear assurance on Die part of a majority of the members that they would be prepared lo support the Government on a want-of-coiifidcnco motion. Such assurance is h&ndlj liinly to bn forthcoming^,

| Tho "Star" goes on to ray thai tho sig-1 [ mil victory of tho Minister for Railwoyt. I taken in conjunction with some oilier indications of public feeling, points to tlio likelihood that, at no very distant date lie may realise Ihn honourable ambition lo which ho recently alluded. Sir Joseph Word's unmistakable loss of popularity, tho defeat of the lion. 11. Fowlds .md Sir .lolm Find lay's relegation to privalo life will certainly not be u hindrance lu Mr. Millar's advance. "THE TRIUMPH OF REFORM." REVULSION OF PUBLIC FEELING. Under tho abovo heading the Wanganui "Chronicle" writes editorially.—Tho pcop!o havo spoken. With an emphasis that permits of no misunderstanding they havo pronounced against the Ward Administration, and expressed their determination to bring to an end tho reign of tho Continuous Ministry. As tho result of the completed ballots, Sir Joseph Ward must consider his position, and follow tho only constitutional coursc thai is open to him*. Throe years ago, although tho cause of political reform inado a long step forward, tho Prime Minister found himself backed by a majority of twentyfour—a majority which, though not so overwhelmingly great as in 1905, was still substantial and invincible. To-day, that majority has bccotno a minority, and tho new majority represents an enormous revulsion of public feeling. So far as it is possible to analyse the results at tho time of writing, the maximum voting strength that Sir Joseph Ward can hopo for on a no-confidence division is thirty-nine, including tho four Maori members, tho one Labour candidate who is not pledged to voto against the Government, and the two Independents, but it is by no means certain that all these aro to be relied upon under existing conditions. Indeed, it has been freely stated for & long time past that several members of tho Government following have been weakening in their allegiance to the Cabinet, and awaiting an opportunity to cross over to the ranks of tho reformers. On the other .hand, Mr. Massey appears to havo a voting strength of forty-one, or at the very least forty, on which ho can confidently depend at the first trial of strength. As we figure it out, tho state of parties at tho present moment is: Reform party, 3S; Government, 32; Labour, I (including three pledged to voto against the Ward Administration); Independents, 2; Maoris, 4. It goes without saying that Ministers and their apologists will endeavour, to mako tho best of t* bad job, but, try as they will, it will be impossible for them to offer any justification for their continuance in office. Whatever tho future may have in store, tho hard fact of tho moment is that to all intents and purposes the Ward Government is out. A MERITORIOUS VICTORY. THE LABOUR MEMBERS. "Tho battle has been fought, and won. The people of New Zealand havo declared that the time has arrived for a change in tho management of their political ;ltfairs. Tho Reform party, led by Mr. W. F. Massey, has achieved a momentous victory, and, although it has not secured an absolute majority of the Parliamentary seats, it has become the dominating party, and, as, such, will doubtless assume tho reins of office. To do this, it may require tho assistancs of one or two of the Independents, and of tho Labour party,' Seeing that tho return of Messrs. Robertson, Veitch, and Payne is largely due to tho influence of the Reform party, these Labourites cannot well throw in their lot with Sir Joseph Ward. Assuming. however, that the Government succeeds in winning tho thrco Nativo scats, it cannot, oven with tho assistance of Labour, command a majority in the House. The position, therefore, is that either Mr. Massey must bo sent for by tho Govornor, or another appeal to the country must bo made.—"Wairarapa Age."