Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13th, 1920. BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13th, 1920. BRITISH POLITICS.

The opening of the British Parliament marks the commencement of an important session. Now that peace has been ■ concluded the Government will be ex- i pected to turn its attention more inti- I mately to domestic affairs. In regard j tpj t-hei Home situation, the King’s j Speech stressed the fact that if lasting j peace and social peace _ were to be ensured, all classes must continue to throw themselves into the work of reconstruction with • good will for others, and with energy and patience. This is 'a. text whence many sermons might be preached, and while it is most excellent advice, and it is most advisable that it should be followed to the very letter, it is incumbent on the Government also to do its part. The Government must, lead in the pressing of social reconstruction, and unless showing a disposition to move freely, it is useless to counsel patience. The people are naturally impatient in regard to reforms and they look to the Government to have a ready-made cure for the ills the country happens to suffer from. But this process of amelioration cannot be one sided; the people must help with the Government, and be sympathetic as woL 3® tolerant. Naturally the legislation to come before the present session will be of some lasting effect. Great social an domestic questions have to be tackled, in the endeavour to bring quietude to the ranks of industry. The country stands in need of more and more production, not alone to liquidate the wreat debt incurred by the war, but to meet the increased and growing demands for British products apd manufactured articles. It is necessary to establish British trade supremacy, and that is possible now if the ranks of industry will co-operate in the gieat , national task. Legislation will be neceasniy to deal with many phases serving to that great end- The food supply question, defence and other important national questions will come UP for consideration. The Government is not too happy a family. Its executive is somewhat unwieldy, and its personnel is now in process of change. There is the defection of the Labor representatives which is much to be regretted It cannot be considered a. Coalition Government if all elemental parties are nob represented in its councils. But at the head of affairs stands Mr Lloyd George, and he has two very notable lieutenants in Mr Bonar Law and Mr Balfour. This is a trio of braiiny nieu of action it would bo difficult to match in any era at the head of a nation’s affairs, and in that advantage much comfort may be taken at this time of political crisis.