The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1914. THE OPPOSITION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2340, 23 December 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1914. THE OPPOSITION

The gathering of Wardists and Labour-Socialists yesterday to discuss the political situation passed off as was expected with mutual professions of goodwill. The official report tells us that the Leader of the Opposition is to be given a free hand to do as he pleases, and anything he chooses to do w ; ll meet with tho approval of his, for the time being, obligingly obedient following. If therefore he should make up his mind to do what is best in the interests of the country regardless of such petty considerations as portfolios for himself and his friends, and party interests generally, then his devoted adherents may be expected in accordance with the terms of the resolution passed to loyally approve his action; even though it may mean the continuance in office of the Reform Government. Of course they do not expect their Leader to rise superior to party considerations, and in expressing their willingness to support him in any action he might take they no doubt know very well they are committing themselves to nothing more than tho acceptance of whatever plan of cam-' paign he might devise with the object of ejecting the Reform Government. So long as they have this purpose in view the motley band which constitutes the present Opposition can be relied on to cling together arid act in unison. Should it happen by any chance that the Government were defeated or decided to resign, the pleasing harmony which wo are told at present characterises the very mixed elements in tho Opposition Party could hardly be expected to continue very long. The adjustment of portfolios, for instance, would be a most delicate matter. Some of the old and faithful Wardists such as Messes. Hanan, Witty, Ell, and Buddo, would almost certainly be_ passed over in favour of members like Messes. Veitoh, Forbes, M'Nab (who has been out of tho House for six years), and Hindmarsh. The name of Seddon might also win a place for the present representative of Westland and occasion heartburnings on the part of less juvenile supporters of the party. But even should this preliminary hurdle be safely negotiated the party then would be only at the beginning of its troubles. The Labour-Socialist extremists would dominate the situation. The'y could unmake the Government whenever it pleased them to do so; they could force tho Government to carry out their wishes in the matter of giving legislative effect to their Socialistic ideas or relinquish office. The real danger, however, so far as the country generally is concerned is the influence they would he able to exercise in administrative matters.

It may bo recalled that on one occasion at leiist Mr. Myers when a member of the Mackenzie Government indulged in some very plain ppeaking when pressure was sought Id bo bwgbli ?d tbc .Ministry hy 600W ol tljcli' jwesont Meads in the

matter of enforcement of the provisions of the Defence Act. what would be his position with the Ministry dependent on the votes of members pledged to repeal the Defence Act? So also in connection with the Labour laws. There are members of the Opposition Party who are quite as much out of sympathy with the Labour extremists now attached to the party as are the Reform Party. What is going to happen when these members feel the pressure exercised on their party leaders by the extremists? It is little wonder that the Leader of the Opposition and his party organs are displaying such anxiety just now to' make it appear that the variegated band in Opposition are all of the one political colour and all happily united in their political views. It is because they realise that apart from their common desire to get ri'd of the Massey Government they havo practically nothing in common; and because they fear the splits in their ranks from internal dissension which may occur at any time, that they are so anxious to assure everyone of the perfect harmony which prevails. The public, however, will find it a little difficult to believe that Me. Myers, the wealthy capitalist, can travel amicably very far with Mr. Payne, whose extravagant ideaa of short-cuts to Socialism stagger even Borne of his Labour friends; that Dr. M'JTab, the champion of compulsory service, can harmonise for long with Me. P. Weob, the gentleman pledged to the repeal of the Defence Act; that Mr. Mac Donald, the freeholder, pledged supporter of country interests, can expect to avoid discord when he has as his bench-mate, say, Mr. M'Combs, the Social Democrat, pledged to prevent the further alienation of Crown lands and pledged to abolish the country quota; or that even ' Sir Joseph Ward himself, who has frequently , condemned the idea of a State Bank with the sole right of note issue, will find his good nature always equal to the strain imposed by placating his new recruits pledged under tho Social Democrat platform to bring a State Bank, into existence here. Which of the different sets of members constituting the Opposition are going to sacrifice their principles and pledges to' preserve the delightful state of harmony depicted for the edification of the public? The extremists who will have the upper hand in the event of tho Wardists ever getting into office, or the men who are hoping to get the' portfolios? Happily for the country a good many things must happen before the affairs of the Dominion are placed in the hands of a party so unfortunately constituted as the present Opposition.