THE DISORGANISED OPPOSITION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2298, 31 October 1914, Page 6

THE DISORGANISED OPPOSITION

No one expects tha> Leader of the Opposition to bo a man of leisure these days. Tho task- of evolving' something that oan be presented to the electors as' a policy is in itself calculated to absorb his thoughts and energies. At the same time he really ought to give a little attention to imparting such elements of discipline to his following as would prevent its individual members from* heedlessly running amuck and holding up their leaders to open 'ridicule. _ 1 ( or a long time past tho Opposition has beenin a somewhat demoralised condition, and tho House of Representatives as a result has been treated to some amusing spectacles, often at a cost to the dignity of the Opposition Party ana its Leader. One such scene was witnessed the other day when the report of the Shipping Freights' and Charges Committee camo up for consideration, The Committee was thoroughly representative of both sides of the House—it included in its membership Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Russell, Mr. Myers, and Mr. Buddo—and its findings were unanimous. Nevertheless Mr. Noata and Mr. AVitty in tho hope of making capital against the Government indulged in a virulent attack upon tho report and recommendations and more than broadly hinted that the Committee had connived at malpractices on the part of alleged shipping and exporting rings. Sir Joseph Ward and his principal followers were amongst those who exposed the absurdity of these charges and the attack soon died away m tho most undignified fashion imaginable, but the fact that it was made, and in such circumstances, was sufficient comment upon the party discipline of tho Opposition and recklessness of the methods of its individual members.