The Dominion FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1915. THE PROPOSED NATIONAL MINISTRY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2521, 23 July 1915, Page 4

The Dominion FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1915. THE PROPOSED NATIONAL MINISTRY

The idea of forming a National Ministry was a big one, suited to the times. It involved material sacrifices on the part of members of the Government, and it also meant that individual members of all parties would be required to readjust their relationships for the period of the war. But the object in view fully warranted these sacrifices and the temporary disturbance of our domestic politics. Indeed, with the peril that confronts the Empire growing clearer each day our internal 'differences sink into such insignificance that with tho great bulk of the people outside the walls of Parliament the National Ministry proposal is regarded as the natural course to follow. But unless a proposal of this nature is considered and dealt with in the proper spirit—that is, the spirit which recognises the needs of the nation in-the present crisis as the paramount consideration—then it is best that the political leaders should abandon the idea altogether. Unless this is done it seems likely on present appearances to degenerate into unworthy haggling and bargaining which, whatever the final outcome may be, can bring credit to no one and is only likely to accentuate the bitterness of party feeling. If the proposal cannot be considered on broad national lines, the Prime Minister's best course is to bring the whole matter to an end, and proceed with the business of the session in the ordinary way. The very natural and proper desire to, bring the negotiations l to tho deciding point found expression in the question which Mb. E. Newman put to the Prime Minister on Wednesday; Mr. Newman wanted to know what was actually going on, but he had to be content with tho non-committal reply that the matter was still under consideration. Tihe difficulty raised by the Opposition when the offer was first made had reference to the number of portfolios to be allotted to members of the Liberal and Labour parties. We have already expressed the opinion that'we think that objection was not unreasonable. The Prime Minister , appears to have amended his. original proposal in order to meet the Opposition's objection on this point, but so far as is known this has had no effect on the majority of the Opposition Party.

T'hc reason it would seem is to be found in the fact that the majority of tho Opposition Party appear to be considering the ( question from purely a party point of view. Tho Nem Zealand Times, which is the official, organ of the party, professes to see in tho proposal to form a. National Cabinet a "palpable party move," and calls upon tne Liberals "not to betray their principles and party into tho designing hands of their opponents."' It is futile to reason with people who adopt this attitude at a time like this, and it would be unfair perhaps .to judge the wholo of the Opposition Party by tho views of a journal which unfortunately has shown .itself habitually incapable of forming an impartial judgment where politics are concerned. But, the same attitude is taken up by the Executive of tho Hawke's Bay Liberal League when it urges Sir Joseph Ward not to endanger the future of the_ LiberalLabour P'arty "by accepting office in a Conservative Cabinet." Such utterances leave no room for doubt !as to the viewpoint of at least a considerable section of the Opposition. Their first consideration is the interests of tho party. Their party prejudices are of suoh an allabsorbing character that they cannot bring themselves to agree to the creation of a, National Cabinet for fear jest the future of tho party may be in some way endangered. The future of tho Dominion and of the Empire seems t'o be a matter of secondary importance, It may be that those holding these views may consider that the _ position of tho Empire is not oritical. They may be amongst those who ignore the plain facts of the situation in Europe to-day and who regard tho urgent appeals as to the necessity for concentrating all our energies on the conduct of tho war, and the organising of our resources to the utmost of our _ capacity as empty forms of patriotic speech appropriate to the occasion but having no other .purpose than to give expression to our very proper feeling of loyalty and good-will to the Motherland. It is strange, but it is possible thoy may hold these views, and they may regard • • tho part which New . Zealand is called on Bo play as being so small that they can afford to go on with their internal dissensions and domestic squabbles, and all the littleness and pettiness 'of political party warfare as we know it in New Zealand. But js Sin Joseph Ward, the Leader of the Party, prepared to be dragged at the heels of men who aire incapable of. realising the dangers ahead ? Does he think his first duty lies to his party or to his country? Does Mr. CI. W. Hitssell, or Mr. A. Myers, or Mr. Mac Donald, or Dr. M'Naii—does any one of these ■ members of the Opposition Party regard tho position of the Allies to-day such that we can afford to miss any possible opportunity of ensuring that we shall place ourselves in a position to render

assistance to tlio utmost of our resources? We are confident that, all the gentlemen named, and others, too, in the ranks of the Opposition appreciate the seriousness of the situation. Why is it, then, with ths OawnmiMifc-willing to iqegt i,li« jPi?jaositioja_ pa Ma atlmittsdly.

reasonable terms, it is not possible for the Leaders to com© to a satisfactory 'Understanding? The answer we believe is to be found in the fact that the extremists of the Opposition Party, the men who carry least weight with the country, the men of extreme and bitter party prejudices, dominate the party. It might bo expected that at a- time like the present the- party leaders, the men of experience and judgment, would dominate the position, but apparently such is not the case. Wo can see no benefit likely to accrue from a continuancc of negotiation? between the. party leaders unless they arc prepared to ac.t as their judgment and their patriotism dictate. All party considerations for tho time being'must be sacrificed. If this is conceded then there should be no difficulty in forming a National Ministry as proposed by Mr. Massey. If it is not conceded then Mr. Massey should end the negotiations and throw the onus of refusal 'on the shoulders of the Oppoai tion.