THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2213, 17 October 1907, Page 1

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

A COALITION DISCUSSED

THE ACTUAL FACTS OF THE POSITION.

(Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, October 16. The suggestion as to a possible coalition between Sir Joseph Waid and the present Opposition party hat not aroused any great interest m the House so far. I have, however, obtained interviews with two members representing different views on the matter, and these will show the light in which the suggestion is regarded by opposite sections ot the House. , , The first- member seen was one of the most radical members of the Government party. He did not take the idea of a coalition ill a, serious light. “I have no doubt, ho said, “that tho suggestion owes its origin to the desire of certain members to got ‘on-side’ with tho Government,; and who recognise that the present Ministry, by reason of tlio tacttul courso it lias pursued, has obtained a very strong position m the country,, from ‘which it would be Very difficult to oust it for some time- to come. “You do not think then that there is any prospect of a coalition?” “Well, judging by tlio views expressed by mombors of tho Government side of the House I am satisfied that the suggestion will como to nothing. Past history shows that generally coalitions have not boon a success, and adminstrations formed out of such unions liavo usually bad but a short reign of office. In tho present case there is no need whatever for a coalition with tlio Opposition. Tho present Ministry has shown that it is composed of strong Ministers, and it is proceeding on lines of policy which meet with tho approval of tho House and party. The fact that this session the Government has passed a Inrift Bill, and a Taxation Bill; and is also passing a Land Bill and other measures is a splendid -testimony to the constructive ability of the Cabinet.” . The member went on to say that in the case of the present Premier there was no feeling of personal opposition against the head of the- Government, such as had boon manifested in tlie past. Tho Government, he considered, had tlie confidence, of all sections of the party, including tlio radical element, which witli its stimulating force had succeeded in getting several of its views oil tlio land and other questions embodied in tlie programme of the present session. “I look upon tlie suggestion of a coalition,” continued tho member, “as a device on the part of tho Opposition to stimulate the formation of an Independent Labor Party, with a view to splitting the Liberal vote at. the next election, and thus letting in a number of Opposition candidates. The Independent Labor Party will no doubt use tho suggestion (atleast the Opposition hope so) as a peg upon which to hang tho assertion that tho Ward Government is not so pronouncedly Liberal ns is made out, and that tliero is not a very marked line of demarcation between the Government and the Opposition, hence the necessity for a new progressive force in New Zealand politics.”

“Do you think that there is any necessity in the interests of labor, for tlio formation of a separate Labor Party ?” “No, I don’t. The labor and radical members with tho assistance ol a number of country members are at present securing legislation in tlie interests of labor; but if an Independent Labor Party were formed the result must be to alienate the support now received from the country members, who, it- must not be forgotten, form tho majority of the Government party.” The member went on to say be believed the present Government would como back after next election with a good workable majority. “It is possible,” he concluded, “that it may lose one or two seats in tlie North Island, but a reduction of the present majority would tend to strengthen tlie discipline, and organisation of tho party.”

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE SITUATION.

A member of the Opposition party, on being asked for liis opinion, and acquainted with the views expressed by the foregoing member, said, “I look upon such expressions from a representative of the socialistic element as evidence of a forlorn hope. In the past these members of extreme views have been able to force the loader of the House to give way to socialistic pressure in the direction of measures providing for collective ownership, interference with land, holdings, and so forth. These members naturally do not desire a coalition to take place, but if the moderate section of the Government party and tho Opposition were to coalesce, they foresee that ill such an event they would he forced to form a party of their own, with no prospect of being in anything hut a hopeless minority, as compared to tho strength of tho united forces that would be in a position to pursue a policy of safe, moderate, and yet Liberal legislation for New Zealand.” “There can be no doubt,” the member continued," that tho lato Mr. Seddou was to a large extent driven by the socialistic element m bis party to do that which lio himself scarcely believed to bo in tlio best interests of the country. The success of these members in influencing Mr. beddon lias led them to belicvo that they can carry on tho same policy, and perhaps to an extended degree, with Sir Joseph Ward. Whether they will lio able to do this, however, yet remains to be seen.” “What have you to way to tlie statement that tho suggested coalition is a device on the part or tlio Opposition?” “It is wrong to say that tho suggestion has conic from tho Opposition. The suggestion has come from outside people, some of whom are in sympathy with the Premier and others with Mr. Massey; but who. all recognise tho gradually decreasing differences between the two sides, and tho danger of a three party system, dominated to a large extent by the socialistic element It is also incorrect to say that the country would not have a policy of progress with Mr. Massey as a member of tlio admiiistration. Anyone wlio reads the records of Parliament and knows what Mr. Massey has done must be convinced that ho is a true Liberal, and that whether he was in office on his own account, oi in coalition with anybody else tho legislation would be progressive and liberal in spirit. Prudence is not tho watchword of the socialistic section of the House, and the stimulating

force’ referred to by the member you have interviewed not being guided by prudence constitutes u danger to ti-110 liberalism, which is recognised by all peoplo of moderate views. “You do not, I suppose, regard the dividing lino between tho moderates of tho present Government party and the Opposition as a very wide one? “No. There is no doubt that since tho present Ministry came into offico tho legislation proposed lias been to soino extent modified, and ti.it generally tho moderates of the Government sido of tho House and the Opposition have been gradually approaching one another. Indeed it is undoubted that suggestions Horn the Opposition sido ol tho House have been accepted by tho Government and embodied in proposed legislation, and this to an increasing degree ill late years. It would bo very unfortunate if New Zealand drifted into a three party system. The evils in Australia of such a system are apparent, audit should bo the aim of politicians hero to avert such a position whatever may happen. The Opposition will, I have- no doubt, stand by the principles they have with considerable oxporionco como to believe are in tho best interests of tho DonnnAnolher Opposition member, who; was seen, suid that in view of the modification made by tho Government in tho land polioy there was now not much difference between the Government and the Opposition. “They only need to go ono step further,” iio said, “and apply the principle of tho freehold option to all lands, and grant it at tho original value, to remove all important points of distinction in regard to the question.”