WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1322, 28 December 1911, Page 4

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

EMPHATIC COMMENT. THE LEADERS CONTRASTED. The Christchurch "Press" regards one thing as certaiu—that Mr. Massey will make no sacrifice of principle in the bituation which has arisen. "Sir Joseph Ward may, if he chooses, throw away selfrespect in a despcrato attempt to" cling tp office alter the country has shown Clearly that he has lost its 'confidence. Mr. Massey will go calmly ahead with what lio considers to be his duty, serene in tho conviction that the people's will is oound to. prevail, and at the next opportunity they will place him in a position in which he will be able- without question to cany out the policy which he believes the condition of tho country demands, If, on tho contrary, Sir Joseph Ward should resign, or if when Parliament meets he should be displaced by a narrow majority, Mr. Massey, we aro assured, will do the right thine, bringing down a broad and liberal policy which ought to appeal to tho reasonable and thinking of all classes. Ho will not sicriiice- a single principle to which lie stands pledged, or prejudice in any way the character £or political steadfastness and integrity which has raised him so high in the estimation of the people."

Holding Office on Sufferance,

| The "Wairarapa Ago" says;—" Sir Joseph Ward may have strong political reasons for withholding his decision in regard to the political situation until after the holidays. Tho hist for office which possesses the remnant of the decadent Ministry is so pronounced that ho is naturally reluctant to do the right thing until every avenue of escape has been prospected. Nobody who ha? analysed the position can see any possibility of escape in the circumstances. The Ward Administration has been condemned by the country. A dear majority of th'o members elected are pledged to" oust tho Ministry on tho first no-confidence motion. Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues know this to be a fact. Every moment they hold office, therefore, is on sufferance, anl every administrative net they perform in'the interim will bo open to public challenge. . . . Viewing the position as it appears to-day, there would appear to bo no solution of tho problem other than for Mr. ilassey to be entrusted with tho formation of a Cabinet, and to be given a reasonable opportunity of bringing forward legislation. Should a crisis occur, tho responsibility will rest with those who have precipitated it.' Meanwhile, Sir Joseph Ward, knowing what is the right thing, should not hesitate to do it."

! "Parliament Sh.mld bo Summoned." The Malaura "Ensign" rays: "Tho extensiou of the High Commissioner's terln of office, to March "1, 1012, seems to indicate that tho (.government is of opinion that it can carry on, and that it is assured of a majority in the new Parliament. This belief, if it is held by tin Ministry, is obviously based upon very insecure ground, and undoubtedly Parliament should be summoned in January in order that the position may be • ascortiincd without doubt. . . . Tho Government cannot carry on the alT.iirs of the country, for it has to loso the votes of tho Speaker or the Chairmen of Cominiltocs upon all divisions. The Government is merely temporising. There is c. forlorn hope that the Lalxiiiriles and tho Jndepon'lonts may ho won over. The risk of another election may bring wavi-rcrs to heel, and, thinly Sir Joseph Ward, why nut to my heel? Sweet are the intits and the delights of oilice to men, and such, though defeated, cling to them most tenaciously."

Cabinet Reconstruction fuggestcd. Tho "Sotithlaml Times" thinks it is quite on the curds thai the .Ministry is being reconstructs,! with a view to Ilio Government':, advantage when Parliament meets. "It may Ijo taken for granted now, we think, that the Prime Minister intends to meet Parliament as head of tho Govermn-jjit. ].li\il he inlended to rem'bii the .-top would already have been taken. His anuouiKomenl that Parlianient has been prorogued till January 10 may not mean that tlio House will assemble on that date, but it may be anticipated with confidence :hat a short and momentous session will commence late in January or early in Fcbrmry. That l>eing so, Sir Joseph Ward is employing the intervening times in entrenching himself against the assault that is sure to bo made. A judicious reconstruction of the Cabinet may bring with ;t an ncoession of strength, but tho operation is ono of extreme difficulty and delicacy. The aim is to attach firmly members who may be wavering without ofi'e-iding or alienating those who are thoroughly reliflble. It would be a political coup, for instance, to gain tho support of tho Labour members by a timely appointment." Mr. Massey and tho Labour Members. The "Ilawke's Bay Herald" says that one thing stands out from the statements made by Messrs. Vcilch, llobertson, and Payne. "They all want an investigation of the country's financial, position. They ore nil dissatisfied with Sir Joseph Ward's finance. If that is bo l.heir duty seems plain. Tho only means they have of socuring such an investigation is by supporting Mr. Mas=ey. By assisting "to put him in power they will assuredly set :if thorough aji investigation, of Uie odkinis-

I ration of the' Ward Ministry as anyone ('Hi wniit. It will l)c Mid, of course, 'that lie Conservatives arc the enemies of lαmm: 'J'JjiiL is Hie more.-:!, moonshine. No I'ovcniinoiil. could hope lo hold office, now. ft'liiys unless il. was prepared lo give due wiKiit lo Iho tliiims of Labour. No ;i>vernm?nf would dnro lo go back on llHi progressive legislation of the 1,-if.t dotji'lc. And Iho Lulvjiir members know [i nil as well in nnybody. But of coursn Ilicro niu,|. be fail- play. l| is inipos"7"! ' " l<) I' 11 ,"""' men lo think Hint mey ciiii lun, ou | gj r Joseph Ward withmil diving Mr. M,wrv a proper support i ii« tonus .-in Administration. They liny put wliiiit him, but o'n,■!"'""■!, l '" , ' 1 themselves free lo deT.i , ' " ll '"!'!■ ,Vilrlli »e "t any jnomoat. I'nrl , i , ' 0 " 1 ,,1 ~p ,fl ,nakc a cha <* »f ■lii,d "i I , "" 1 ,u ! ? m ci,llcr «'» "'"if'rft di m lulion. The loader* must know inrl r<l , y . rn " '•""nt on Labour sun. 'one j,- I, "^ , '* o Knvcrnmont would liVoiw ,""'" wo " 1,1 fillll '' 'lifiicult In 'Li i'; n, l? Wlll, Jlr - Mhfscv lor ,HI •j'HnM,K,,t. No ono would P''"y l.ndei twld will, ,]j ffll j/.j. j^ s » "No Option but to nesign." ju-\ is & oin K °» M'-.ld Iko h VI, 00 . , ' 1 -^ > 7" '-.-Tospph 'ward Mo l ,f ( hn I -r R "' P M '"if'«rial crisis. The i si m, i '"*■ ,s , blSi 'dc the mark, lie