PRESS OPINIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1487, 9 July 1912, Page 6

PRESS OPINIONS.

OLD PARTY LINES DISSOLVING. MR. MILLAR: AN IMPRESSIVE FIGURE. ' (Bt Telecrapli-Snecial Correspondent.) Cliristchurch, July 8. Commenting on the political situation, the Cliristchurch "Pros?" says: The voting on the irajit-oi'-conn'ilcncc issue on Saturday morning shows that it was no catch division, but provided Mr. Massey brings clown a broad and progressive policy, as ho is certain to do, he will start, off with a fair working majority. \Ve shall bo very much mistaken if (his is not increased in the very near future. Old party lines are fast dissolving. The weakness of tho Ministry just' defeated was that it attempted to bind together "Incompatible*" to make- oil and water mix. There could havo been no real sympathy between Messrs. Mackenzie, Myers, and MucDonaUl on the one side, and such extremists as Messrs. Russell, Laurenson, Ell, and Hansin on tho other. It was no wonder that moderate men and staunch freeholders like Messrs. Reed, Coates, Clark and T. W. Rhodes, seeing that the leaseholders and extremists in the Ministry wero in tho majority felt that they lied been betrayed, and that it. was tim'd for them to ally themselves with a party who held tho same leading principles as themselves, and held them with sincerity. Wo havo no doubt that other mod•erate members with, the full approval of their constituents will gradually come to tho same decision, and the result will be that tho House will gradually resolve itself once again into a more rational division, of parties. In the meantime, seeing the urgent necessity of putting our house in order, more especially in the matter of finance, we have no doubt that in «tho interests of the country some who are not prepared to openly ally themselves with Mr. Messoy will see that ho has tair play, and will to that extent sink party so that tho interests of the Dominion may receive the careful attention that they deserve. Mr. Miliar, who had travelled from his sick room at Rotorua to record his vote against tho men who had thrown him over after long years of faithful service was perhaps the most impressive figure throughout the absorbing struggle. As we looked at : the strickqn lion, bearing himselt so determinedly in spite of his illliealtli and physical weakness, one could not lielp wondering whether, if the will of tho majority, at the famous caucus had not been thwarted by the minority tho result of the trial of strength might not have been somewhat different. With such a united Opposition, even Mr. Millar could not have formed a Government to cany on for any length of time, but- he might perhaps havo forced either a complete coalition, or, failing that, a dissolution-. We believe that even then tho Reorm party would have come into its own but meanwhile its path has certainly been much easier, and it has arrived at its goal much more quickly than might otherwise havo boon the case. We protested against the prorogation of Parliament, ind we protested against the caucus and the subsequent delay in calling Parliament together. We did so because wo thought the whole proceeding irregular unconstitutional, and wanting in- dignity. We believe, however, that, looking »t the matter from a par.ty point of vW, the result has been a groat gain to the party of-Reform. .It was gratifying to «■<. that, as Air. iiasseys followers.have been dodged, patriotic and "straight" in long years ot. Opposition, so when tho hour of triumph came they took it with modestv and sell-restraint, showing no disposition to exult over those whom they had beaten. iSoth sides on this occasion have fo acted as to maintain the high traditions of the Zealand Parliament, and the way in winch the now order has been ushered iii is the best ausury for tho future. The interests and dignity of the counh'y are ■ safe m the hands of the present Parliament. It is only fair to say that the Prime Minister accented defeat like a man imbued with the bet Parliamentary tractions, and the speech which he "made in the last stage of the debate will entirely remove from the public mind the unfavourable impression caused by his unfortunate letter to his supporters, which we felt it our duty to condemn. lie will be remembered as a Prime Minister who came into office under very unfortunate circumstances, who retained his position fer a very short time, but who during his biiof snan of power conducted himself with dignity and self-respect, and who nna.lly went down in a sportsmanlike and dignified fashion.

THE REFORM PARTY'S GREAT FIGHT. PRAISE FROM THE OTHER SIDE. ■ " Christchurch, July 8. The "Lyttelton Times" pays:—Wo wish at once to offer our ungrudging congratulations to Mr. Massey and his friends on their victory, which, if not quite complete, is still far enough advanced to justify a good deal of gratification. They naturally are feeling that they have maintained, with undismayed enthusiasm, a long and tedious struggle against great odds, and, though wo differ-from many of their political views, and strongly, we have nothing: but admiration for "their persistence and their courage. A party that can remain out of office for twentyone long years, and still figlit as Mr. Massey and his friends fought up. to the very hour of their ■ success, deserves the applause, and even the sympathy of its opponents. Wo aro sure that t/io progressives, who are still in a majority in the House (and we believe in a large majority in the country), will give Mr. Massey a fair trial if lie can form a stable Government, and that they will not hesitate to accept Liberal legislation from the new Prinio Minister as readily as tiny accepted it from Mr. Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward, and would have accepted it from Mr. Mackenzie. Wβ do not expect to see another appeal to the electors before the- present Parliament has run the ordinary course. The Libcr•als and Independents, who have given Mr. Massey his "turn," will be anxious' tliat he should have an opportunity to justify, their action, and, holding the balance of power as they do, they can choose their own time for submitting themselves to tho judgment of their constituents.

A FAVOURABLE AUGURY. NEED FOB A SAFE AND STRONG , GOVERNMENT. (By Teleeraph — Special Correspondent.) Auckland. July 8. The "Herald," in its leader to-day, says: —The task which now Iks before Mr. Massey, who has been sent for by the Governor, uud asked to form a Ministry, is not an easy one, but his prospects of success are, we bplieye, greater than those that could be claimed by any other political leader in Parliament. It is true that the majority which carried life no-confidenoe Imotion,' and brought about tho downfall of the Ministry, included several members who do not belong to his party, but we regard this as a favourable augury, as a welcome indication, as there were a number of men in tho so-called Liberal ranks whoso sano and moderate views incline them more to the side of tho Reformers than to their own, where extreme opinions and dangerous doctrines exercise a preponderating influence. Moreover, it is exceedingly - probable that those members have realwd that the Reformers stand to-day as the Literals stood twenty yenr-s ago as tho true exponents of public oninion, and 'that the real interests of New Zealand can best be served by placing them in power and keeping them there. What the country is in need of at the present moment is n safe and strong Government in which it can place implicit confidence; a Government that will apply itself intelligently and earnestly to the pressing practical requirements of the community, tearing" all heroic and harassing legislation severely alone; a Government that will ensure for the people clean and efficient administration, that will encourago their industries, and by inducing a eteailv retflement of Hie Innd, and attractiV a

stream of suitable population, help to"mcreaso and maintain their general welfnre mid prosperity. We are coufident that Jtr. Jfassey will be able to form such a Government, and wn tongratulate him on linviiiß at. obtained mi opporfiinify of doing it. Ife has led his naTty durinsr its long,sojourn in the cnld shade's of Opposition with splendid n n«il jabouuded hope, aatf \re bsliore Eβ yilL

continue to show tho same high qualities in its hour of triumph. Of this, at any rate, we may fed assured, ho is not seeking, nor will he seek, any mere party advantage or personal success. His only dssiro is to servo New Zealand as a whole, and to promote as far as lies in the power of any public man the happiness and the well-being of its people. I lint, wo doubt not, will now be the keynote of the policy of his Ministry, and in that caso it will bo found to bo n policy that the country will heartily approve, a** which all the best men iii Parliament, irrespective ef parties, will as heartily support. ABOUT PLEDGES. AND THE MARCH CAUCUS. (By Telegraph.—Pros* Association.) Dunedin, July 8. The "Otago Daily Times" says, on tho Jjuostion of alleged broken pledges:— Messrs. Coates and Rhodes must hare a perfectly clear conscience. They wero returned as Independents, and remained unaltered after the March caucus, and those members who have been attempting to show that Messrs. Millar, Clark, and Heed were pledged to support the Mackenzie Ministry have slurred over the fact that the caucus, as the public has heard on the highest authority, pledged itself to support tho policy contained in the Governor's Speech of February last. The adoption of this pledge was the first business of the .' caucus. Any subsequent pledge committing those present to support tho Government which should be choseu was necessarily binding only if the doveniment was faithful to this' undertaking. The Government, however, repudiated a portion of the policy of tho Ward Administration in February, . . but claimed that the support of all members who wero present at the caucus were pledged to it. Moreover, among stories that have leaked out of what occurred at the caucus is one which has been sufficiently substantiated.—to wit, thcro was no complete ucceptance by members of tho principle that they should yield blind allegiance to an unformed Government in all circumstances. Any attempt to prove that. Messrs. Millar, Clark, and Reed broke any pledge by voting as they did on Saturday morning, and that they must bo branded, along with Messrs. Payne and Robertson, as untrue to their promises, is not likely to make much impression on tho public mind. The bulk of the electors will probably indeed l>e grateful to these members for having terminated for the present, at all events, a situation in which tho Government of the day could exist only at the pleasure of a few members whose individual authority in Parliament is negligible.".