The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1919. SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 296, 10 September 1919, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1919. SIGNS OF THE TIMES

A cireat ;liange of tone as cornpaved with bygone days marked the exchanges of the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader in the House of Kepresentatives yesterday when the former was asked to outline the session programme. Me. Massey's expressed hope that "never again would they go hack in New Zealand to the old system of parfy warfare to whiclf they had been accustomed in days past" was applauded by Sir Joseph Ward. Justly or anything that is said by the political leaders on these lines is likely to be suspect, No doubt many people will feel that the conversion of these political antagonists is somewhat sudden, and, in the circumstances, rather unconvincing. It may be, suggested that Mr. Massey and' Sir Joseph Ward are rather paying < interested homage to new ideas they consider it unsafe to ignore than actually turning over a new leaf. Even if this were so, the transformation of their attitude, as far as it has gone, is to be wclr corned, but as regards the promise of a new_ political order evidences of a growing spirit of independence amongst private members arc more significant than anything the leaders may say or do.' Yesterday afternoon, tor instance, Mr. Hanan, who was a Minister- with Si£ Joseph Ward in the National Government, spoke out boldly and well in denunciation of the evils of party .politics. He said that the time was op-, portune for the abandonment of the worst features of the party system. "That system was responsible for the present situation of the political parties which were bidding against one another with reckless proposals for the expenditure of loan money." This statement is striking as an dication that the old trammels of party are giving way. It .implies an unqualified condemnation of the action of Sir Joseph Ward in reestablishing party divisions which are- no longer justified and stands out as a healthy sign of the times [and of the spirit in which Parliament is now facing its responsibilities. A place in tne same category may bo given to Mn. Russell's imperious demand for a full'working session, though it must be said that his' apparent contempt for a Parliament .which "surrendered all its prerogatives to the National Government .while the., war continued and|.as soon as: the war was over scuttled to the polls," sits lather oddly on one who 'was a Minister in the National Government.

It is hardly in doubt that what outspoken members of Parliament are saying others arc thinking and tt-at in the House of Eepresentatives as well as in the country strong and growing forces are operating to enforce the principles to which the political leaders already profess allegiance. The extent to which Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph "Ward are really prepared to sink party and personal ambitions thus may become a matter of secondary importance. As opinion is developing in this country and amongst the rank' and file in Parliament, the prospects of advantage to any political leader in turning from pious professions of broad regard for national welfare to an appeal for partisan support are becoming distinctly less rosy. Private members are probably less inclined at the present moment than they have ever been in the history of the Now Zealand Parliament to tamely follow a course intended to entrench or establishes or that leader in power. In their new attitude of independence, symptoms of which arc apparent now in both main parties, members are faithfully reflecting the trend of opinion in the country. Indeed they would be strangely blind to both duty and interest if they did not recognise that most people to-day look to Parliament only for the greatest amount of useful work it can put through in a given time and are wholly disinclined to adopt any other standard. This is the. one fact clearly established in a situation which in other respects politicians amongst them have reduced to a somewhat sorry tangle. Rank and file politicians owe it to themselves as a matter of interest as well as of duty to recognise that they have themselves to thank for what is unsatisfactory, in the existing outlook, and that they alone, between now and the date of the election, can effect an improvement. It is

now obvious that on all grounds a mistake was made in allowing conditions to arise in which rivr4 and competing political leaders of parties which but for the. antagonism of these leaders have much in common stand opposed at; in pre-war-days. It is, however, a redeeming feature that the old breach thus foolishly reopened seems slow to widen and the phenomenon no doubt is to be, attributed to an intelligently restive spirit in the rank and file.

The, whole position, which*meantime is developing tentatively, will bo tested exhaustively before the session ends. The programme oi' work which the Pitiar.E Minister outlined yesterday, though it does not cover all the ground, includes a series of measures which arc, urgently required, and if framed on right lines will confer, material benefits on the country. If the party split precipitated by Sir Joseph Wahd had developed logically it would have been hopeless to dream of dealing with such a programme in the month or two of working time that is available before the general election. It is to the good, however, that thus far anticipations which might reasonably have been based on the_ party split have been agreeably .disappointed". As yet indications suggest that members, or at anyrate a considerable proportion of them, are intent on constructive- effort. No better advice can be given them than to persevere in this'spirit. _ The interests of tho country certainly will be best served if useful measures are treated dispassionately on their merits; and narrower considerations equally dictate the same course of action. s ln their apparent disinclination to revert to the timewasting wrangles which used to occupy much, of the tim<! of Parliament and greatly hinder its work members are showing discretion as well_ as good sense and a due appreciation of national needs. They seem to be alive to the fact that the time-worn devices by vhjch politicians used to seek notoriety and Popularity .will be more likely hence•lorth to cam them hostility and contempt, together with the positive expression of these sentiments at the ballot-box.