The Dominion. SATURDAY, JULY 19,1913. A LESSON FROM THE GREY ELECTION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1806, 19 July 1913, Page 4

The Dominion. SATURDAY, JULY 19,1913. A LESSON FROM THE GREY ELECTION.

Perhaps the most important lesßon of the Grey election is the proof it affords of the new development in the politics of the country to which we have been directing attention for some months past. Wo refer to the gradual dissolution of what has been Known as the "Liberal" party, and tho readjustment of the political situation which is rapidly progressing, and which will ultimately leave in tho field only two parties to be reckoned with: Reform and the Labour-Socialistß. Commenting on the suggestion that Sir . William Hall-Jones, who was then on his way back to tho Dominion, might be induced to again take lip the leadership of the Opposition, we remarked : It should not take him very lone to rcaliso tho change that has taken place, not merely in Parliament, but in tho country since he left New Zealand. Instead of an overwhelmingly strong "Liboral" party dragging at its heels organised Labour and opposed by a mere handful of "Reformers," the strength and the attitudo of parties have been completely recast, and new policies brought to light. Labour is no longer coubent to bo the tool of "Liberalism," while "Liberalism" itself realises that tho new Labour-Socialist force has passed beyond its control. Instead of the struggle of the future being between "Liberalism" and "Reform," it will bo between Keform and Labour-Socialism, and Keform will liavo on its side a largo share of that body of the public which formerly was found ranged tinder the banner of Liberalism. Sir William Hall-Jones, indeed, if he takes up politics at all, might even feel that the policy of the Keform party is-such that it offers more hopo to tho country than an effete "Liberalism" or an aggressive and overbearing Labour-Social-ism. Since that article was written things have moved apace in political circles, and the weakness of the "Liberal" following has been accentuated in various ways. On the other hand, while there has been something of a check in the development of the Labour-Socialist movement, owing to a discontented section, chiefly composed of Labour union secretaries and disappointed politicians seceding from the Unity Congress, Lab-our-Socialism has mado soma progress aa a Dolitical force. It would

not be correct to take tho position in the Grey electorate to-day as fairly representative of the strength of the three parties in the country, becauso the constituency has been a Liberal stronghold for over a quarter of a century, and it takes time to effect any material change in the political attitude of a community whero party feeling has had a firm grip for a long period of years. But it is most significant and a striking illustration of t,he re-casting of public opinion which has been going on so rapidly during the past year or two, that in such an electorate there should have been so marked a change as is evidenced by the polling at the First Ballot on Thursday last. The local organ of anti-Reform, which had been so blatantly confident of the success of the "Liberal" candidate, is now seeking to cover its confusion and alarm by professing to regard the Labour-Socialist candidate, who is left in the Second Ballot with Mr. Michel, as _ an ally of "Liberalism." This is almost as diverting as it is dishonest. It was only a few weeks ago, when wirepulling was going on with a view to bringing tho Labour-Socialists into the "Liberal" camp, that the official journal of the Unity movement, referring to the efforts of the local anti-Beform journal in that direction, remarked: The "New Zealand Times" warns tho Unity Gongcess Committee that there aro traitors in its ranks. And then it proceeds to identify the traitors. This is a sure sign of treason to the workers. What is? Why a refusal to support the Liberal party. It was the chief spokesman of the Liberal party all the timo the Arbitration Act was being amended into uselessness, and the administration of the Act mado a mockery. It is mistaken in supposing that only a portion of those in the Unity Committee refused to be made the agents and defenders of the discredited and useless fragments of the Liberal organisation. The paper added that the committee was united to a man in its determination to fight its own battle. In spite of this insulting and openly contemptuous attitude of the LaßourSocialist organisation, the local antiReform journal, in its anxiety to cover its discomfiture at the turn of events in the Grey electorate and throughout the country generally, reaches out a trembling hand and seeks to claim tho Labour-Socialists as the friends and associates of "Liberalism." Apparently "Liberalism" under its present leaders has sunk so low that nothing matters so long as it can stave off discovery by the public of the utter state of decrepitude which it has reached. In their anxiety to obscure the real situation, however, they are in danger not only of over-reaching themselves by the transparent dishonesty of their tactics,; but they are also further accelerating tho rate of disintegration of the party by forcing from its ranks those men of moderate views who could not in any circumstances submit to an alliance with the militant Labour-Socialists. There is no question whatever that Me. Webb and the party hehind him in the Grey election represent the most extreme element of the Labour-Socialist movement. They hare tho courage of their views, and arc proud of their militancy and their aggressive policy of Socialism. This brings us back to the point at which we started. There are many who have honestly believed that tho "Liberal" party was what it professed to be. Year after year since tho days of Ballance, or at the time of Seddon, they have loyally supported it because at the outset of its existence it stood for certain definite principles, which they believed in. In recent years they have seen it tottering weakly along the. path which it once trod firmly and boldly. They have seen it growing weak and vacillating, existing on makeshift expedients, barren of statesmanlike ideas, • and finally drifting shamelessly whichever way the tide of popular opinion appeared for the moment to set. And now, with tho party discredited in Parliament,and m the country, they find its leaders seeking alliance with Labour-Social-ism, and, though spurned with contempt, still feebly reaching out for help from those who spurn its overtures. Tho moderates in the "Liberal" following, in consequence of these things, and seeing no hope of the party ever rehabilitating itself under the changes which have taken place in the re-casting of parties, are gradually coming to regard the Reform party as more truly representing their, political views than any other party. On tho other hand, the extreme Radical element, who have been endeavonring to drive a bargain with the Labour-Socialists, will probably find, as did Mr. Fowlds and Mn. Hogg, that they havo more in common with that organisation than with Reform. So the disintegration of the "Liberal" party is proceeding, and, as stated, its pace will be materially accelerated by tho evidence afforded by the electors of Grey that the future political struggle lies between the forces of Reform and the organisation of the Labour-Socialists.