A CRITIC OF THE GOVERNMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 298, 12 September 1919, Page 8

A CRITIC OF THE GOVERNMENT

Sir.—Will you allow me space in your columns to state why a' number of sup- • porters of the Reform Government find tho greatest difficulty to continue to support that parly, and are looking for a new party to appear which they can place their confidence in? They feel that, Mr. Massey should not have made three trios to England while tho war was on, neglecting the affairs of Now Zealand at a most critical time, and costins the country thousands of pounds in mace their confidence in? They feel that the Peace Treaty could have been, arrived at just as satisfactorily without his presence, as we have a capable High Commissioner at Home, who is paid to look after our interests, and that »in anv case tho representatives of Britain would not overlook our interests if he were absent. They feel that tho Parliament should not 1 have lad to bo post; uoned, and then business rushed through in such a hurry on account, of his unnecessary absence. They feel that affairs- of New Zealand have not received the attention required, and tho sudden discovery of shortage of coal is one instance of bad management which a busi-' ■ness firm would not tolerate, as the' manaeer of n business has to look well ahead, and make provision for future requirement?, so as not to be caught napping. They feci that tho Government should make a firm stand in handling the labour question', and if in. doing so they run 'the risk of losing office they should boldly faco tho situation, and stand or fall rather than show such weakness to a party which is quick to discover a weak spot in tho armament. . They feel- that. the' Government are promising everything possible, and doing nothing except cling to office. Thev feel that the Government should tako ths pooplo into their confidence and, place their cards on tho table; as secrecy 1 oulv creates suspicion; and at a tinio like the present they should endeavour to remove all harriers possiblo and restore normal conditions as muoh as possible, instead of irritating tho people in every wav thev turn—such as steamer and railway passes, etc.—l am, etc., ' ■■• WELL-WISHER.

rWe havo not.seen anything of tha nromi6es which- our correspondent eaj-s the Government is so'freely making. Possiblv he is confusing Sir Joseph Ward's-manifesto with the present Government. • When the Budget comes down will be the time to expect, the Government to lav its cards on tho table.]