ENO OF THE TRUCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1919, Page 1

ENO OF THE TRUCE.

NEWSPAPER COMMENT

MOVING BACKWARD

(Dominion, Wellington.)

| With isuch prospects as now coni front it, this country needs unity above ! ail things. It has emerged from the I war to enter upon a critical period of j development, but also with magnificent | opportunities of advancement opening 1 befoijo its people. In common with other members of their race, Now Zca- - haulers learned during the long struggle which is now over that it is possible by united national endeavour to accomplish what could not he accomplished in ally other wuv. The supreme need of the hour is to apply this lesson to the tasks of pocouutruletion and ponce. Success or failure in this matter means all the difference between bright prospects and dark for the Dominion and all sections of its population. No sane man can doubt that with the bulk of its people cooperating, as they easily might, for their common good, it would he vastly easier for this country to carry its war burdens and establish conditions of general prosperity than if time and energy arc wasted and frittered away in needless contention and strife. It is in light of these clearly established fads that the action now taken by Sir Joseph Ward and Ins party colleagues in withdrawing from the National Government must bo judged. The vital questions raised have to do not with party, hut with national welfare. In seeking to justify the course, he has taken, Sir Joseph Ward harks back on pre-war days. At that time, he says, “the Liberal Party had everything to gain from the party point of view.” All that can be said of such a contention is that even if it wore true it is utterly irrelevant, and implies an astonishing failure t.o envisage the real issues at stake. The thing to ho determined is not wliat is good for this or that party, but what will best advance the interests of the Dominion. This is the only standard of contliict consistent with self-respect and the only alternative on rejecting it is to adopt some baser standard.

LIBERAL FREEDOM. “ X.Z. Times.”) ‘ The Liberal Leader has ended the political truce, and issued his programme. The first he has done at the logical dale, the second at the psychological moment. As leader of the Liberal Party lie felt compelled to jom forces with the other side on account of the war. Three times re-elected he remained with his party faithful to tnat necessary political compact- At the earliest possible moment after the war he has recognised that the war compact ha-s no longer a. basis, and he has resigned his position in the Cabinet, dissolving by that, act the political truce. Immediately after he has issued his manifesto to the Dominion. As leader of the Liberal Party lie bases bis appeal on the terms of that document. It is proof of bis conviction that the interest of the Dominion, plunged m the aftermath of the war. requires the help of the party system, tbo only system which lias ever done progressive service, and the only one which can hope to continue such service, required at tLis juncture more than ever. The programme lie offers, with his party behind it. is courageous and vigorous. It grasps the great difficulties of the situation firmly with fullest recognition „r the vast changes brought by the war, a clear comprehension of methods for dealing with them, and a firm determination to face with practical strength (lie solution of the difficult problems fliev present- As be says, “ dhc war lias changed the world, and the statesmen of to-day must recognise the new world.” TTis recognition is expressed with no uncertain sound in his programme, which wo publsh this morning The main points cover a. vastarea of service, many of them new, striking and bold.