The Opposition.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 June 1911, Page 4

The Opposition.

"A NEW GOVERNMENT W ANTED." (Press Correspondonit.) Everywhere in the country one hears that there is a- considerable change of feeling in regard to Xew Zealand politics, and that people ■who have for years past voted for the Government make no secret of the fact that at next election they will be found supporting the present Opposition. An indication of this change, that will cause more than ordinary comment appears in the Evening Post's leading article this evening. The Post has been professedly "Independent" lor some considerable time past, but generally it has been regarded by Oppositionists as having a tendency to favor the. party at present in power. Lately, however, it came out boldly W'itli a suggestion, that a change of Government is needed, and badly needed, in New Zealand. After referring to the recent increased activity on the part of the Opposition in the country, the article goes on to say: "It was a theory of the late Mr Ballance that it was not for the good of the country that tho same party should remain in office much longer than the .term of <a single Parliament. What, then, would he have thought of the victory which. be won for bis party in 1890 if he had known that it was to be renewed at successive elections until the ideal period of three years had bc-en extended to 21 ? Possibly ho would have varied in prosperity a theory which was doubtless in the main the fruit of the gloomy days of the Opposition. The fact, however, remains that a reign so long as the present Liberal party has enjoyed is good neither for the country nor the party. This statement would hold good of 'any country, but it has ■a special.application to one like New Zealand, where- the functions of the State, and therefore the opportunities for the maniniilation of public trusts for privateTpuirposes have so widely extended, a change of Government is badly needed, and 1 thero is probatily a general consensn of opinion in New Zealand to this effect." At the same time the Post urges that the Oposition should develop a policy, and promises to return to the subject in a later issue.