The Dominion. TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1912. THE NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1481, 2 July 1912, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1912. THE NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION.

Mr. Massey, when lie rises in his place in Parliament to-day to move his amendment to tho Addyess-in-

Reply, will be in a very different position to that which ho occupied when moving a similar amendment in February last. In February he was attacking a Government which had for years held the confidence of the country, but at the polls a month or two previous hud suffered a reverse which left it in a minority. Mr. Massey's amendment was then defeated on the casting vote of Mr. Speaker, tho Government having been saved from defeat through securing the votes of members outside the ranks of its own party, two of the number having actually been elected to put the Government out .of ofiiee. To-day the want-of-confklence amendment of the Leader of the Reform party will bo directed against a Government which has never possessed the confidence of the country and whicli has improperly held office for over three months without the sanction of people or Parliament. And while there is the difference stated above between the situation in February and that which exists to-day, there arc still more important factors which count in favour of tho Ileform party's prospects of success. After the elections in December there was a very widespread feeling that the change in the control of the country's affairs which appeared imminent was on the whole a very good thing. Apart altogether from the immediate supporters of tho Reform party there were a great many people who realised that the very long ; term of office enjoyed by the "Liberal" leaders had its disadvantages and dangers; and even many who had as a matter of habit voted for tho Continuous Ministry were not altogether displeased at tho prospect of a change of Government.

When the Wabd Government escaped defeat on the understanding that Sir Joseph Ward would resign the leadership of the party ;i feeling of uncertainty and unrest crept into the public mind which was accentuated when Jin. T. Mackknzir was elected Leader of the Party iind c-liosc as hi.s collragues in the Ministry the very curious collection of mediocrities who now constitute the Government of the day. It was obvious from the outset that such a Government could not comninncl the confidence of the 1:01111 try —it could not retain 1 lie support even 0; members of its own party. Rut while it has nut hern taken ver> seriously by anyone ' but Ministers themselves—while it has been generally recognised as nothing more than a makeshift, or stop-gap Government —it has not been without its usefulness. The events lradilig up Ik its accession d> ollicc anil llie Imppeni»Ks siliri' have served to open I lie eyes i>f the country not only to tlie dangiM , attached to the existing slate of polities, but also to the great opportunity that the disruption of I hi; "Liberal" party has created for suturing a period of sound and ..stable tfoycrutnent on moderate unci

progressive lines as distinct from the wild experiments and reckless electioneering expedients which have for so long proved a disturbing factor in (ho development and advancement of. the, Dominion. There is not tlio slightest doubt that at the present moment the great bulk of that section of the people of jNcw Zealand which takes any real interest in political affairs is earnestly desirous of witnessing the defeat of the Mackenzie Ministry; not so much because of any particular sins of omission oi , commission on its part, but because its removal rs a necessary step towards securing the strong Government ot moderate views that the, country needs. We have pointed out on previous occasions why a in the. existing party lines is inevitable—the gradual sorting of the Moderate-Progressives info one camp with the extreme Radicals and Labour-Socialists in another. At the present time the Moderates with the Jieform party as their rallying centre arc in a marked majority and if, as is confidently anticipated, the Mackenzie Ministry is defeated as the .result of Mit. Massey's amendment, there is little doubt that a Dumber of members on the Ministerial side of the House will recognise that the changed conditions demand that they shall in the public interest range themselves with the Moderates, thus creating a powerful party. Such a party should be assured of some/ years of office and could accomplish much useful work. Those of moderate views who stand aloof will find themselves very awkwardly situated. Unless they are prepared to sign the Labour Pledge .they will probably fall between the Moderates and Labour. If they do sign it, they place themselves at the mercy of the Labour Selection Committee or whatever the tribunal is styled that determines who shall be the candidates to contest seats in the Labour interest. The discussion on Mr. Massey's amendment will probably extend over a week, at the end of which there is good reason to expect the country will witness a change of Government.