THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1390, 25 March 1912, Page 6

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Thehe is already plenty of evidence that the choice of the Hon. T. Mackenzie has in no way strengthened the position of the "Liberal" party. The Ministerialist press comments are unmarked either by enthusiasm or buoyancy, and those Ministerialist _ supporters who have expressed their opinions upon the situation arc anything but optimistic. By changing its leader the party has not increased its voting strength: it still remains, a minority dependent for a bare existence upon a handful of votes that cannot be called dependable, and its elements are just as heterogeneous as before. The only thing that has happened to the party i 3 the substitution, for a leader who was clever enough to prevent disruption from within, of a new chieftain who is not only far less skilful than his predecessor but who cannot possibly command the devotion and loyalty of any solid section of the rank and file. Mn. Mackenzie's elevation to Ministerial rank was notoriously the cause of deep discontent on the part of many members of the party, who could not sec the justice of giving a newcomer, who was an old opponent, a reward that was denied to long and faithful service in tho "Liberal" ranks. The partisans of Me. Lavrexson may be partially placated by his inclusion in the new Ministry, but Me. Millar's friends will _ not swallow their resentment at his treatment, and in any event Mr. Mackenzie cannot possibly allot portfolios to more than half of those who feel strongly about their claims to office.

But whatever difficulties may boset him on the personal side of tho problem before him, ho has far greater difficulties to meet later on, Already Labour leaders are rxpressing_ their dissatisfaction with (he choice of tho caucus, and arc letting it bo seen that, nothing short of a Radical policy along lines that Mr. Mackenzie has all his life opposed will satisfy them.. Frankly, wo fool unable to understand how Me. Mackenzie can carry out the reckless Radical policy that the caucus adopted along with him. or. rather, adopted before adopting him. His statements upon his acceptance of (he leadership amount to a eoniprch"nsive undertaking to give, prosperity and happiness to everybody, find although his promises of perfect government are exactly r.s Vague and valueless as such promises generally are, it is just possible to "catch a glimpse of the? imr>o?sib!<! plan that lie has in mind. This plan appears to be to carry out the Governor".", Speech policy with one find with tho other some sort of policy that will appeal to fh? man on th'n land. The tiling, of course, is not humnnlv possible. Quite apart from tho fact that it goes no way at nil towards the .'idminislrafive. reform clearlv dcmamWl by thi- coiinfry the Speech policy will (mimut higher liixntion ;'iid linsnund finance. Then how ir-Mc. Mtkfnt:!!;. a liMmitr |m. licver in the freehold on gixurnds of

principle, to father a land policy that will satisfy the Radical wing of his precarious party'! That is only one issue l-hii't finds the ''Liberals" sharply divided. Mr. Massey, in a brief comment upon the decision of the caucus, contrasts with the inharmonious elements of the Ministerial army, which have not even one big principle upon which they ran unite, the iinrmess and unanimity of the party of which lie is the leader.

It is quite impossible for anyone to name any big principle, that the "Liberals" as a party arc defending against danger although it is easy to see what they are fighting against. They aro fighting against Reform: on that point alone aro they a united party. They are united, that is to say, only in their desire to remain in office; and even if they had had a majority after the elections they could not survive, under such an inspiration as that. In the meantime wo observe that Mr. Mackenzie has ruled the Governor out of account by declaring, before his chief has resigned, that his Excellency will not summon Parliament until June. It is just possible that his Excellency may consider that the change requires an early session. Most people will realise that the new Ministry will not be morally or constitutionally in a position to discharge the larger functions of an Executive, and the position is one that cannot too soon be ended. It can only be ended in ono way, and that is by the establishment of the Government that will give effect to the firm resolve of the nation to sweep away the party that bars the way to financial, administrative and legislative reform.