PARTY POLITICS AFTER THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2873, 11 September 1916, Page 4

PARTY POLITICS AFTER THE WAR

LIBERALS AND THE NATIONAL. GOVERNMENT. The Hon. Dr. M'Nab, speaking on behalf of the Liberal members of tho National Cabinet, told a Dominion reporter on Saturday that the story in a. local newspaper of an arrangement within tho National Cabinet to bring about a permanent fusion of parties was absolute nonsense. Ho was quite suro that tho spirit of the agreement that had brought tho National Government into existence was being loyally observed on both sides. ."The National Cabinet was formed with a clear underBtanding that there was_ to bo no sacrifice of rights or principles on either side," said Dr. M'Nab. "Liberals and Reformers agreed that party warfare was to be suspended during the war period, and the National Governmeni has, worked on that basis. If any porsoil cares to interprot a loyal observance of the agreement as a sacrifice of party principle, or. as a conspiracy against a particular' party, then thai 13 no concern of mine. The memb*rs of the National Government will coutinuo to play the game fairly."

HON. G. W- RUSSELL ON THE SUBJECT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Ashburton, September 10. In conversation with a "Guardian" reporter, the Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister of Internal Affairs), said that ho had received information that morning that a statement had been published in the "New Zealand Times" to the effect that a movement was on foot by some members of the Government for the purpose of maintaining the National Government after the war had terminated.. Mr. Russell said that the National Government had been formed for the period of the war only, and at the end of the war must resolvo itself into its pre-war condition before any suoh proposal as intimated could bo. given effect to. He wished to make it quite clear that ho would be no party to any such proposal. The party he would support would be the Liberal Party, which was founded by tho lata Sir George Grey, and carried on by tho late Mr. John Ballance. and the late Mr. R. J. Seddon. ■'At the close of the war, when the National Government went out of office, he hoped to sgo the Liberal Party again come into' power. So far as ho was concerned lie would use his best endeavours to assist in bringing that party to the same r>roud position it had enjoyed before Mr, Seddon's death.