PARTY POLITICS AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2224, 10 August 1914, Page 7

PARTY POLITICS AND THE WAR

TRUCE TO PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGNING OPPOSITION LEADER AND CABINET COUNCILS In the House of Representatives on Saturday, the; Prime Minister (tho Hon Mr. Massey) referred to a suggestion that had been made to the effect that the Government was not taking the Leader' of the Opposition as fully into its confidence as it should do. .'ln regard to this he desired to say that Government were in a difficult position. "W° aTe >" be said, "to a certain extent in the confidence of tho Imperial authorities. We act on the advice of the recommendation, and sometimes upon the instructions, of the Imperial authorities, Such adyice, recommendations, or instructions,' as the case may be, come to us through His Excellency tho Governor, who communicates them to tho members of the Cabinet I want to give members an idea of what is occurring. On several occasions direct instructions luive been given to the Governor not to take anyone into his confidence except the Prime Minister, and on other occasions no one' but the Prime Minister and the Minister', of Defence. That, of course, is no reflection upon our colleagues. I 'want members to understand that when special instructions come to us to keep all lnforjnation that pomes to us from the' Imperial authorities " as silent as the grave,' we must comply with those instructions. Sometimes the lives of hundreds of men may depend upon these instructions being carried out." Mr. Massey went on to say that not the slightest discourtesy was intended to be shown by himself or his colleagues to the Leader of the Opposition. He had' on several occasions sent for the Leader of the Opposition. when the Governor was present, and he had listened to the _ Governor giving him information received. He would always''be glad to ' extend every possible courtesy to the Opposition Leader and lie appreciated the courtesy'that the right lion, gentleman, had extended to himself. "" No Contentious Business. Tho Prjme Minister added that he 'did' not intend to go on with any contentious business in the House until matters" pit took" to something approaching a normal position, but he did not know when that would be. He might be in a position after the passage of the "tivo Bills now before the House, and tho passing of another n\6asur® that was in tha charge of the Minister of Defence/to suggest that Parr jiamerit* should adjourn for a'few days.' His wag unable to 'say when it would be necessary' fpr * Parliament to meet' again, ii" order tliat hemight take'it. into his confidence or.'ask it to pass certaii) legislation. He added that at present he was unable to giye attention to' any ordinary Parliamentary business, aiid ho pre-' pumPd that members felt much as hp did about it. • (Hear,' hear.) Sir Joseph Ward hastened to' assure tho Prime Minister that he had made no complaint' to" anyone'in any capacity. Mr. Massey said hp did not suggest that'. '"' '" Sir Joseph Ward continued that he made no complaint to anyone''inside or out6idp the JTouss, and he did not expect thg Prime 'Minister 'to disclose anything to him as a member of the' House, or leader of the Opposition Party concerning any of 'the"important events that were going on. His only desire 1 was to help in a humblo way as a member of the House at a time when all personal matters should be set; aside. (Hear, hear.) His only complaint, if it could be called such, was that private members'of the House knew' that the intimation of war with Germany had'bpen by the Governor, ana no intimation had been received by him (Sir Joseph TlY&rd). He was asked-if he-knew, and had to say "No!" He did not heaT it till ho had got out on the'steps. He had, however, made no complaint about it, and there was nothing of peevishness in it bo far as lie was'concerned. '• A Specific Instance. The Right Hoc. W. f. Massey, in reference to the remarks about the declaration .of war being 'known, paid that hp was glad the Leader of. th® pPMSSW* had mentioned tho specific instance; When His Excellency the Governor decided that lie wffflld make (i annouupement. His' Excellency had not the very least idea then that war Bad been deplaied. He (Mr; Massey) was in e, praition to say t that no other member pf thp Cabinet knew alMiit it until' His Excellpncy mgde the announcement from tlie steps of ths other end of the building, _He was npt disclose iiig' any coufidenco in saying. tJiat His Excellency decided that it would be.a, yery improper ' thing to .go ont to anyonp PW he himself made the announceroent . m publio." am »<i position to say, . add? Ed Mr. Massey, 'that nobody besides His Excellenoy the Governor.' and myself. knew of it rintil His'llxcellency made the anr nouncement, and I knew only a few minutes previously." , , , „ ' Mr. Massey added' that -ha f«lt strongly tliat party warfare are should bp suspended that' he had instructed the .organisers of thp Roform Party to ceasp organising until he gave them iiirtlier iristructions—until q. -cnango took pwco tnoy could have a holiday. Political Campaigning. Sir Joseph "W«T d ' rearing to the disappearance of party divisions, said tliat ho the sentiments!so vrell expressed l>y the Prime Jlimswr. Hp wished to 'say' that at his request nearly a week ago' merab'ers of the Opposition who had arranged to dpliypr politic.il addresses had cancelled their appointments. He had also given inptmotjons.that tho P®' journal published ip the interesra of thp Opposition Party shonld cease puwicatipn. He had also refused to deliyer, patriotic speeohes at tlvrpa dijferpnt parts of t"6 country in case hisi action nj'qhv y® P® n " qtriied into an attempt to take advantage of the situation for 'party purposes. Hp wished to sink party, and he did not> propose to consider piarty interests at a timp when every tiling should be suboixiiiuiteu to the interests of thp country. • • ~ • Mr." 6. W- Bussell (Avon) urged that the Leader of" tho Opposition should be associated with the Government as pJPfel?' as possible. He pointed out that it been cabled that Mr. Bonar .Ltiw and Lord Lausdown'e had been ossooiated with the: British Cabinet, and suggested thM. Sir Joseph' bad a better knowledge of Imperial affairs than any, ether member of Parliament. • • The Right Hon- W. F; Mass&y said that the Leader of the Opposition had been taken into the confidence of the Government as much as was possible, He could not ask the Leader of the Oppqsition or anyone else who was not a Cabinet Minis, ter to attend a Cabinet meeting, but m anv other way possible he would be ml to take the' Leader of the Opposition into his confideuoo.