Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, 13th MARCH, 1918. A POLITICAL REVOLUTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, 13th MARCH, 1918. A POLITICAL REVOLUTION.

Such a heading as the above sounds very alarming even in these war times, if we apply the literal meaning. Russia went in for a very wholesale revolution, and for many a long year the vast peoples of that country will rue their ill-starred fortunes. Sir Joseph Ward has been talking to our W ellington correspondent, and implying something as to the scope of the coming political revolution in New Zealand. Writing candidly of the political situation in this Dominion, we believe a revolution in politics is very far removed. The leader lias not appeared on the horizon yet to draw the country beyond the limits of a very circumscribed policy. If our statesmen were in earnest about an internal revolution, never was there a better chance to bring it. to fiass. Finance, land settlement. legislative reform, representation, industrial legislation, social betterment and national efficiency, are all questions which might be operated on 1 by the present National Government, and there is the majority to secure the required enactments. But the National Government remain inactive though they set, up Boards of Advice and Commissioners of Enquiry. They still pursue a colorless course, and any fora'ard uplifting policy is left till ai*er the war. What may we hope for then? If Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward part company the country will return to party polities, best described as party squabbles. Each will know so much about the other, that criticism or comment will not be sincere, or whole hearted. Perhaps if there be an election about this time next year, the prospects might be sufficiently disturbing to drive the two leaders into one camp. If the war be in progress then ihere will bo hardly any other course, Labour has increased its hold on the neople and will continue to do so, extreme though it be, so, long as the National Government neglect not only their opportunities hut also their obligations. Every by-election in the interim will disclose this, particularly if Labor will select Moderate and loyal candidates. The danger we see in New Zealand politics is the loss of individuality happening to the progressive Inberals who have been the only party Government to do this country great oolitical service. The present temporary fusion is all to the discounting of the Liberals. Though nominally a. National Government, the Ministry is essentially Reform, and it is flip Reform policy which is being continued for the three years or more the parties have been together. When Sir Joseph talks of a political revolution coming after the war, he will find that by that time the Liberal Party, as he knew it, before the war, will have broken in twain, and its elements drifted apart. The revolution to come, must come from a political party as yet unborn, and certainly leaderless. We might have the revolution this year if the oresent leaders would he courageous and take steps to solve pressing domestic problems on which the good will •.nd contentment of the people rest, ff we have to wait till after the war, the revolution can come in but one of two ways. Either most unexpectedly and in a manner not counted upon bv Sir Joseph Ward, or on a long deferred date when the leader is here to strike and lead.