SIR JOSEPH WARD AT DUNEDIN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2373, 1 February 1915, Page 4

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT DUNEDIN

'- It was quite unnecessary for Sir Joseph Ward to apologise for making a speech at Dunedin in connection with the eon test between Mb. Statham and Mn. MuNßofor the Dunedin Central seat. It is a free country, and he is quite at liberty to do what he can to assist tho Labour candidate, just as Mr. Statham is free to fight his own battle if he so desires. Still the interference of the Leader of tho Opposition in the contest is a sure sign that he is far from confident as to the result. He is, of course, exceedingly anxious that Mr. MiJnro should win' the seat, in view of the very interesting character of the existing political situation, but that is no justification _ for stating the position in an unfair and inaccurate manner. His assertion that "Mr. Massey had been to the country but had come back defeated" is quite contrary to fact. It will not stand a moment's examination. The Government emerged from the general election with 41 members, as against a combined total of 39 for the Wardist-Labour combination. It is therefore quite evident that Mr. Massey did not come back beaten, but with a clear majority of two. The Wardists", on the other hand, came back hopelessly defeated, being only able to muster a party of 33, and" without the help of-the LabourSocialists they could have no chance whatever of wresting the . administration from the lleform Government. ■ Since the election Mr. Statham has resigned owing to a sportsmanlike unwillingness to take advantage of an official mistake which told against his opponent, and election petitions have been lodged in connection' with the Hawke's Bay, Northern Maori, and Taumarunui contests. As the Northern _ Maori seat was won by a substantial majority, it is only reasonable to assume that a second election would not alter the result, whereas the polling was sufficiently close in the Hawke's Bay and Taumarunui electorates, to make it possible that another contest in either or both of them would result in a change from the Wardist to the Government side. But even if the Opposition retains the two last-named seats, the election of Mr. Statham would still give the Government a majority of two, These facts make it abundantly clear that the outlook of the Reform Party at the present moment is much brighter than that of the Wardists, and it must aJso be borne in mind that Mr. Massey is at the head of a solid body of men with similar aims and ideals, while Sir Joseph Ward's party is split up into two _ sections, whose bond of union consists in a mutual desire to turn the Reform Government out of office. Tho fact that Sir Joseph Ward has found it necessary to go to Dunedin in order to assure the people that he will not submit to be "sciueezed or coerced on matters of policy by any section of the community," shows that he realises the weakness of his position. The effort that he is making to reassure the people on this point is an unmistakable sign that they also see the awkwardness of his predicament, and ho will find it extremely difficult to persuade level-headed men and women that "a stable Government could be established from tho Opposition side of the House." How could an Administration be stable that would depend for its very existence' upon a handful of Labour Socialists? Sir Joseph Ward may say that he will not allow himself to be "squeezed," but is it likely that the Labour-Socialists. will deliberately throw away such an opportunity for bringing pressure to bear, well-knowing that if they could make a Government they could also unmake it? As a matter of fact, some of the LabourSocialists have made no attempt to conceal the faet that, if Sir Joseph Ward should by any chance becomo Prime Minister again, their party would practically become masters of the situation, and would not hesitate to put this splendid opportunity of squeezing and coercing tho Government to the fullest use.