The Dominion WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1914. "THE LAST CHANCE."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1975, 4 February 1914, Page 6

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1914. "THE LAST CHANCE."

It is a little ■unfortunate that at a tirno when Sift Joseph Ward is endeavouring to persuade the remnant of his following.that there is still some hope of turning, the tide of Befonn and securing a reversion to Wardisni, his late colleague. Sir John Findlay, should publicly unbosom himself: of his doubts and fears concerning the future- of what he terms "Liberalism," Probably no one knows the "Liberal" Party from within more thoroughly than Slit John Findlay* and ne has now laid bare tho weakness of their position in a manner which we suspect must prove extremely embarrassing to those cnthusiastte Wardistslike the member for Hutt who have been proclaiming, thejr confidence in such flamboyant terms. In an article in yesterday's issue of the New 'Zealand Times, Sir John Findlay states plainly that it seems to him "that Liberalism is this year to be given its last chance, "and ho goes on to say that "to secure,that chance the leader must be_ prepared to courageously risk his o_wn political existence. The precise meaning ' of this statement is not quite clear, but if certainly does not'strike an optimistic note. "The last chance" has a mournful sound, and points to a desperate crisis in the history of the party brought about by neglected opportunities, want of courage, and ineffective, leadership. We are told that a -house that is divided- against itself is doomed to fall; and that, according to the- frank admission of Hut Joiis Findlxy, is the position of the "Libera!" Party at the present time, lie says the "Liberals" are divided into two sections—the "Centre" and the "Advanced Guard." The "Centre" is "largely composed of men who are progressive in spirit, but who.havio become alarmed at the wild oroDaaanda of revolutionary

Labour." He proceeds to point out that:

"Mr. Massey, by adopting and administering nil the great measures Liberalism has placed upon our Statute Book, ti.as vtaivn nearer to a considerable section of tho Liberal 'Centre,' and this section, in my opinion, now lies closer on the political map to Masscydom than to progressive Liberalism, II: is, indeed, separated from the advanced (jward of its own party by a greater distance than it ■ is from Mr. Mossey's party itself.''

This no doubt is very true. . There is a large section of the "Liberal" Party which is much, more in sympathy with the policy of the Reform Government than it is with the extreme Judical element which would seek to entangle the "Liberal" Party with that of the labour-Socialists, We have pointed this out on numerous occasions, much to the annoyance qf the extreme Warclist faction who foolishly refuse to recognise the>plain facts of the situation. But now Sir John Eihdlay. openly endorses this view. Doming from such a source this is a most significant admission. The gulf in the ranks of the Opposition is one which it will be found extremely, difficult to bridge. As a matter of fact, it -appears to be growing wider every day, and although Silt John Finduy has endeavoured to B-ugges-t a way' of survival his proposal only serves to emphasise the hopelessness of engineer-: ing a revival of Wardism, How isit possible to devise a straight-out policy which would meet the wishes of both the ''Centre" and the extreme "Advanced Guard" 1 The Opposition Leader certainly has a "baffling question" to deal with, and so far he has not shown any eagerness to face it, and as Sin John advises "courageously risk his own political existence''' in hia effort'to solve tho problem of reconciling tho irreconcilable. Yet Sib John I'isdlat declares ,that "if the Liberal Party is to survive"'—and the use of the significant word "if" shows thai ho has serious misgivings—"it pari only survive by the' declaration of a policy which, will show the.electors how radically distinct it is in vital principles from the, policy of the . present Government. I '. But how can such a policy_ be acceptable to the ."Centre,'''Which has inore'ijt common with the Reform Party than with, the "Advanced Guard'' of the Opposition i And a .political programme drawn up in a spirit o£ compromise .and reconciliation.with the object-of closing the gap between the'two "Liberal" wings is'siot likely to hear much resemblance to the hold and courageous ■ 'scheme-' without which the "Liberal" Party .must, in the opinion of Si.k Johs, have any. real existence, and survive merely in name—a mournful example .of how .great pristine vigour may through listless-ness and ' timidity sink to impotence and ineptitude." The article as a whole may hq taken as an admission, by ohe who is in a position to speak with authority, that the anti-Reformers are in dire straits,' and that at' tho present' time they are a divided body with- 'fro. policy md ■ without much' prospect of fhrdiug one. The.recent menace, ot revolutionary Socialism- has caused & I large section of the qoamiimity -which once,took pride, in the name "Lib-;era),"-to recognise that the Reform Government stands for law, liberty; and progress, and against lawless-'-.ricss and tyranny in every form, and that it is therefore entitled- to their . sympathy and support. Their grow-' ■ in-g want of eonfidonee in .Wardisin ■ has heen intensified by the unfortunate utter-amces of the Leader of ;tho_ Opposition during- the recent strikes, and by the 'co-operation of a | section of the'"Liberals" with the Red federation in connection with the by-elee.tidns for Grey and Lj'ttelton. The breach between the moderate Liberals «ftc{ the advanced Radicals hofh in Parliament and in the country has now become so .wide that it is practically impossible to devise a political platform which will express the ideals and- aspir.t- ---■ ti-ons of the- two sections, and it tftc Opposition Party cannot survive unless it eati find a- policy which '.wi;l satisfy antagonistic . cle.men.ts. its outlook is glopmy indeed. If this is "its last chance." as Sir John : Fispwy states,. then' its case - is indeed desperate.