STATE OF THE PARTIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 281, 23 August 1919, Page 8

STATE OF THE PARTIES

THE PRESENT SITUATION. The strength of the parties in the present House of Representatives cannot bo stnted with certainty. Four years havo elapsed since last the House was divided on party lines, and during that time the lines of party division have become less clearly defined than thev were immediately after the election of 191-i, Nine by-elections have taken place sincethe general election, the net result being •that the Reformers and Liberals have each lost one seat to Lnibour.

After the general election of 1914 the slate of parties was as follows:— Reform 4] Liberal Labour and Independent (1

Tiio present position is indicated by tho following figures:—

Reform Liberal 30 Independent 2 Labour .5 Independent Labour..'.!." .'.".'!!!] '3 In these figures Mr. Uru, member for tiio bouthera Maori Electorate is classed as an Independent. Mr. Uru succeeded Mr. C. Parata (Liberal) at. a byeljction, and he has not publicly declared tor either of the parlies. Mr. Ilonis by, e ected as a Liberal, has declared lumseli 1111 Independent. A "pricking of the card" gives tho following result:— Rofoim. Liberal. Labour. Allen Anstey Eraser, P. Anderson Brown Holland Bollard Buddo M'Conibs Coates C'mtoll Semplo Dickson, J. M. Colviu Walker Dickson, J. W. Craigie tp- I '!'!' tw J t'i Si?'" u Independent, lueld, W H. Ell Lai,,,,,,.. Iraser, IV. Fmdlay iw... Harris 6 n** S. 6 Ilerrics lsitt Hiuo Jennings Hudson M'Calluin Hunter Mac Donald J'MHS Myers Eco Ngata Luke Poland Malcolm Poolo Marnier Russell .Massey Seddon Nash Sidcy Newman, A. Smith, R. W Newman, E. Talbot Nosw-orthy Thacker Purr Thomson Pearco Ward Polna.ro Wilford Reed . Witty Rhodes, R. H Rhodes, T. W Scott Smith, G. H. Statham Stewart ' Sykes Wilkinson Wright Young In addition to the above Alessrs Hornsby and Uru are classed as Independent.

THE LIBERAL POLICY

FINANCIAL ASPECT CRITICISED. (By Telegraph.-, Special Correspondent.) Christchurch, August 22. Dealing with the financial aspect of tho policy announced by Sir Joseph Waul, the "Press" points out lhat he proposes enormous expenditure and burrowine, and yet, promises that taxation can be reduced. the debt wined off in ten vears iuss than the time he thought would be required to liquidate a de.bl. half the size, and tho people left, richer than ever! This, the "Press" says, is like offering to take sixpence from a shilling and leave half a crown as the remainder, and the opinion is expressed that the public are no;, such fools as to be taken in bv anyone proposing to do such a "stunt" as that.

Concerning the situation that will arise if Sir Joseph Ward aspires to re .Hi ollico as head of his old party, (ho "I'ress" noint.s out the difticiil:y that such a situation presents. -

. "Assuming," it remarks, "that after a short session Mr. Massey goes to (he country, the political scales will bo heavily and unfairly loaded against the Government unless Sir ,Joseph Ward, as in such case most neoplc will agree lie is in honour bound to do, defends the Government party sincerely and assiduously against the consequences of the dissatisfaction thiil the two pnrtie; have be'.ween them contrived lo cause Ihron-rh-out the country. Wc must admit that we cannot perceive how Sir Joseph Ward can do this, his clear duty, tie could abstain from criticism and "perhaps hold his followers to n similar course, but he

could not fail lo profit from tho public resentment of the National Government's sins of omission and commission. Tho people would not all make a distinction between the National Government and the Massey Government, and Sir Joseph Ward would actually profit from tho popular discontent with the policies for which he was with tho Prime Minister jointly responsible. Thero is only one way out of this dilemma for Sir Joseph Ward. He can forgo this most unnatural political advantage only by forgoing any dcsiro he may have to aspire lo office as the head of his old party. Thero can bo I no mistako about this, disagreeable as it may bo to many people."