THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2339, 22 December 1914, Page 7

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

AND THE WAY OUT. Sir, —The political situation is causing, and very naturally so, considerable anxiety at present. Various solutions of tho difficulty have been and are still being ottered. The latest is a coalition, portfolios to bo allotted in equal proportions to members of tie Ministerial and Opposition Parties, with an honorary position in the Cabinet to one of the representatives of Labour. It is to bo hoped this idea will not bo given effect to, not merely because of the ignoble suggestion that a division of the "loaves and fishes" must be | made, before tho people's representatives will consider the paramount subject of duty, but for the very important reason that representation of Labour, so-called, would inevitably mean hand- . ins ovor tho destinies of tho country to a faction openly out against law and order. For bearing in mind wliat occurred hero a year ago, and may happen again, can any one suppose that unanimity could bo secured in a Cabinet so constructed on a question such as tho suppression of an outbreak of lawlessness similar to that with which we were on that occasion confronted, and which the few irreconeilables who dominate the manual workers would bring about again when tho opportunity favoured them ? Have we not already evidence that the existing unsatisfactory situation resulting from the general election is encouraging labour revolts? There is the Ulimaroa incident, for example. And' what do we notice across the Tasman Sea as' to the extent to which class demands will go, regardless, of the great national interests now at stake? Open revolt against, an award by one of the ablest, painstaking, just and outspoken Judges who lias_ ever E resided over an industrial tribunal. et there be no mistake about it, we have arrived at a most critical period, and it is to be devoutly hoped that our public men will rise to the occasion. Sir Joseph Ward, the "Indiarubber Premier," as ho has been designated by a former supporter, prompted by, I am afrniS, ail inordinate vanity, is feverishly anxious to secure tlie reins of power. The poor man is so often proclaimed by his slavish admirers "Tho Saviour of the Country," or, as, Mr. 11. Fletcher put •it the other day, "The only statesman in the Dominion," that he may be excused if ho has come' to beliovo it. Poor broken reed for the country to lean on! To-morrow he is to meet liis followers, and I should not be a bit surprised to hear the drums beating, and to learn that the henchmen are already preparing the inevitable banquet at which the genius and the greatness of this statesman will be duly'and loudly proclaimed. The position as between the Government and the Opposition proper is this: The former has a following of 40, as against 33. That being so, what on earth claim has Sir Joseph Ward, Hart., M.P., P.C., K.C.M.G., D.C.L., LL.D., to demand that the_ Government should make way for himP Of course, he expects the support of the faction, and no would -undoubtedly got it to oust Mr. Massey, but after that, what? The tail would wag the dog. To prevent such a catastropho as that we only ivant a few moderate men on the Opposition side of the House to put duty before every other consideration, and without being untrue to conviction or party, make it clear that in this groat crisis with which our country is faccd, and until it is over, they are to roinforco the party that camo back numerically stronger than their own, but not sufficiently powerful to govern alone, and so prevent the humiliating spectacle that would be presented by a wrangle for place and power at such a juncture. Are thore any noble and patriotic enough to take up this attitude? I beliove there are, and when they step to the front regardless of the taunts and abuse that may be hurled against them by office-seekers they will secure the deepest respect and lasting gratitude of tho community.—l am, etc.. ELECTOR. December 21, 1914.