COMING POLITICAL EVENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 158, 29 March 1919, Page 8

COMING POLITICAL EVENTS

STATEMENT BY ACTING-LEADER OF LIBERAL PARTY PROSPECTS OF GENERAL ELECTION DIFFICULTIES THE NATIONAL GOVERN MENT HAS MET WITH By Telegraph-Press Association. Christchurch, March 23. • Tho Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, ActingLeader of the Liberal Party, gave a forecast of political events in New Zealand, especially in relation to tho question of n general election as touched on by tho Hon. G. W. Russell. Mr. Mac Donald said that he had not seen Mr. Russell's statement in connection with the general election, but no doubt he was giving expression to his own opinions generally.

"As Acting-Leader of tho Liberal Party," said Mir. Mac Donald, "I am in constant communication with Sir Joseph Ward, and as far as I know there has not been any arrangement come to between tho Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward as to their intentions in connection with a general election. It is clear that both Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward have to agree or disagree about the date of a general election beforo anything definite can lie said.

"I think it must bo admitted," Mr. Mac Donald continued, "that the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward as leaders of two dominant parlies, have the right to suggest what in their opinion should bo dono in regard to domestic legislation during the war. To my mind, it is not fair either to the Primo Minister or Sir Joseph Ward to suggest that they neglect, od domestic legislation altogether during the period of the war. There was absolute agreement between the leaders when the National Ministry was formed, and it was endorsed by the rank and file of both sides several times. These gentlemen have taken advantage of (he agreement during tho last three sessions of Parliament, viz., that no domestic legislation of a contentious nature should be introduced during the term of the National Mini-tery/ This is the third occasion on w'hich the leaders havo bad to journey to the Old Land in connection with nn Imperial Conference "nrl wnr mattprs generally. It is well known that those gentlemen had very little time in the Dominion, and sessions were very filwrt—dealing only with very urgent business—so ns % enable Ihe leaders to keep their pn lavements in the Old Country. T think it must also be admitted flint until there was some certainty of the termination of the war the introduction and mVing of nrntressivp le.7isli.iion. upon the Statute Hook could not be given pfl'pol: to wilhout labour, nipn and money, and thorp would have lv>en n considerable waste of tiinp. Tt is bevnnd nuestion lhat with the nviilahle labour in tl"> country it would have been impossible to carry nutanv progressive works, such ns hydroelectric nower. railway construction, Imul dpv'onmppf. or i.ny of the new industries Hint mny in future be started in the country.

"T do not wish to mpVo any analogies or any excuses for the National Government, but certain members of Parliament and Hip Press appear to be of th ß same thought that by some process of maeio the National Government can carry out proposals of areat ninjniilnde under impossible conditions. T ake the niieslio" of laud settlement The Government have been T.urplmsing land during, the whole period of the war. Thpse lands will be rinded avd prepared for settlement for soldier* when Ihev .return, finding Piimlnvment for"thn=e who fpl.fle <ui the lnml end for thousands of others beside?. Tdo not wi'h lo deal with nolicy questions, but T Ihink it only f.iir to give, a general oul'iup of the difficulties tbaj. have »ad to be by the Govprnment. a"d to show the imT>n=sibilitv of carrying out these u-p.'ks when tiler" w .is no h.bour nvoihiMn. Fpwevpr. I would like 'o «v that T, with other members of the Xnlinnnl Government nn hotli fides nf politic', will welcome an paction, when pac'i memher from his viewpoint will lw ible to give an ""count of his stewardship.

"The name:! of nnny of Hie members of t'"> how Pro?re=sivo Pnrtv have heen inenlionp'l to mo." ?■!''• MaeDonnlr l enncli'd»>l. "and "dip of these gentlemen will have to turn double somer'ault" In convince the people of the country that tb" viows lliev pre esnniindini to-dav coincide with their political nninions of a few years igo. Tam of opinion that it: is not th« future "-elfarp of the country that is causing these qpntlpmen "rent nnxiclv at the moment, hut rnHier their own future political welfare."