PARTY GOVERNMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 12, 5 September 1919, Page 8

PARTY GOVERNMENT

v (To the Editor.) Sir,—l think it is fairly clear that there .is a, strong feeling in the Dominion agiunst the resumption of party government on tho old lines. It may be that it certain amount of party is inevitable in political life, indeed, beneficial rather than harmful, but f<w people, I feel sure," welcome the prospect of a. return to the bitter sectional stiife of tho past, with its deplorablo waste of time, energy, und money, as well as its tendency, to encourage evils which are not creditable to the political life of a nation. This bitterness and strife are no doubt largely due to tho desire for supreme power, and tho desire,for maintaining, such power, when secured, for as long a period, as possible. I suggest,i as a means of removing much of this unworthy and unprofitable discord and strife, that tho reins of government be held by each of ths main, parties in alternation—.Reform one term, ■ Liberal the next, Heform tho following, and so on. This would give .a. fair deal to both sides, besides exercising a settling and stabilising inlluenco upon 'politicians and public generally; it would, I feel sure, afford a large measure of relief to the whole Dominion.' With much of°ils sting removed, ulti'iijKu'ty feeling would give placo to a charitable tolerance, thus making it easily possible for a minority Government to carry, on satisfactorily. Any member proving himself to be beyond doubt a hopeless victim of pnrty-rubidness could be effectually dealt with by the electors at tho following general election. Should this suggested innovation be adopted, Heform could cpntmue in power for, say, one year aftor the coining elections, when tho Liberals would take charge, and tho full term would be Tcsunied. If tho j question be asked: "Supposo a party about to assume oflicq ,bo incapable of fulfilling the task, how then?" It may bo submitted, in reply, that it is hardly likely that a time will cqmo whon tho statesmanship of tho main parties in Parliament will 6ink to so low a staudard its to render oithor utterly unfit to hold the reins of office. Tho most vital thing is for the electors to support the best candidates, irrespective of party, and good government will follow. For it is fairly certain that as long as the present i system of strenuous concerted battling lor supreme power, ami its maintenance, rules, so long will parly venom poison our politics, and politicians, leaders, nnd rank nnd fito nlike, naturally honourable, right-thinking men though they be, practically forced, in the inline of loyally, to countenance and participate in tactics, however orthodox, which they regard with distrust and abhorrence—l am, otc, ANTI-KETKOGRADE.