WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1919, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

BREAK UP OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

(Our Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, Aug. 25

The break-up of the National Government is still the one topic of conversation in political circles. Mr .Massey’s friends are complaining that Sir Joseph has placed the Prime Minister and his Reform colleagues! at a grave disadvantage in withdrawing from the Cabinet on the eve of a session of Parliament without giving them longer notice of his intention to do so. They contend that the resolution adopted by the Liberal caucus some months ago, with the concurrence of Sir Joseph that the Liberals should' contest the general election as a separate party with an independent policy did not provide for the course that has been taken and that it was reasonable to assume the “truce” would be maintained till after the approaching session or, at any rate, till urgent uncontroversial legislation has been passed. MR MASSEY CARRIES ON

Mr Massey admits that the withdrawal of the Minister of Finance ami his Liberal colleagues at the present juncture will placo an enormous amount of unexpected work upon the remaining Ministers and occasion them some inconvenience, but lie is not whining about the matter and it is not anticipated it will entail any serious interruption of business. The preparation of the Budget is the big additional burden falling upon the shoulders of the Prime Minister himself, and this, of course, can be left largely to the heads of Departments if the new occupant of the office is content to deal with facts alone and to leave the “trimmings” for a later opportunity. Mr Myers, the late Acting Minister oi Finance, has published a wealth of information during the absence of his Chief which in itself constitutes a very admirabe review of the country’s finances.

THE LIBERAL LEADER’S VIEW. Sir Joseph Ward warmly disavows any wish or intention to embarrass Mr, Massey and bis colleagues by retiring from the Cabinet. He sincerely hopes the termination of the truce "ill facilitate tile business of the approaching session and hasten the time when the electors will exercise the voice to which they are entitled ill the government of the country. The agreement between tlie parties was to endure till the termination of the war, a much desired consummation which was reached on the signing of the peace treaty. To extend its term over the general election, as his critics seemed to wish, would be to flout the constitutional rights of the constituencies.

PUBLIC OPINION. Public opinion appears to be much divided on the whole question. So far as can bo judged a certain number of Reformers who have been expressing themselves as well disposed towards Sir Joseph Ward are now resuming tlieir old party relations with Mr Massey. On the other hand, progressive people who were not over favourable towards Sir .Joseph, largely on account of his association with the National Government, are now looking liis way, attracted no doubt by the thorough-go-ing radicalism of the programme he has put forth. Official Labour refuses to accept the declaration of bis good intentions, saying that all he is promising now ought to have been done a decade ago; but the great army of sane Labour is impressed, and at least, will watch with much interest the further development of his proposals.