Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 27th, 1919. THE POLITICAL MACHINE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1919, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 27th, 1919. THE POLITICAL MACHINE.

The political machine is beginning to creak in various parts of the Dominion. At both Christchurch and Wellington preliminary meetings are being held by cliques and cabals in the effort to organise some form of party government for the coming fray this year. The efforts appear to be quite unofficial and are very much detached. In the City of the Plains a new party is in process of quiet organisation. It is called the party of progress and humanity, but its articles of faith are quite nebulous, except that it will stand for loyalty law and rder. In point of fact it prom ises to bo something of an offshoot of the 'Efficiency League now interesting itself so much in the fate of the liquor question. Ample funds are said to be at call for the new political party, which will bring out prominent business men who have never .touched polities hitherto. They still lack a leader, but talk of a caucus management, trusting to time to produce the man to lead. In Wellington the Radical Liberals are making a

start to Organise the women vote. Here again ,the programme is as yet quite indefinite, but the first step will be tc establish an organisation and then to stretch out its influence far and wide Again, also there is no leader in view, but the same trust that the hour will provide the man. It is a trusting confidence which indicates how much a change is needed yet how difficult it will be to prepare for the new campaign without labelling a leader. Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward are for the time inseparable and could not bo induced to plot one against the other. Indeed. this is not suggested. Rather it. seems to be hoped that some independent leader will be found capable • of piloting a truly national party to complete victory. It seems to be conceded that both Reform and Liberal as formerly led cannot face the polls ■with any great hope of gaining the balance of power. Tile third party, Labour will go to the polls with much greater assurance, and in that mood will organso for the general elections with a good deal of confidence. The situation points to a fusion of the main political parties as happened in Australia and Britain. The new party has not been named, but “national” is suggested and covers the general •'deal. There is much to be done in a national way to clear up the aftermath of the war. The policy must be progressive and humanitarian and so the move in Christchurch appears to be prompted on right lines. But the nie n •it Hie head of affairs will count most. Old party shibboleths must be ignored for a time at least—the political truce must be Further suspended. It remains to be seen how far this can be done. The national party must be of radical J leanings, but- this calls for sacrifices j on the part of many straight-backed j politicians. Altogether the situation j is full of interest. It is well that [ it is so. It means a sensible and timely awakening to the general outlook, ; and moving betimes good should come of it.