Holitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14th., 1920. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1920, Page 2

Holitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14th., 1920. THE WEEK.

The njaymist press of England is endeavouring to ivpr'k up a political crisis at Home. Thp newspapers however, are hut saying the pbvious in regard to the political outlook. The “Times” thunders out thaf the session is of critical importance and .says Parliament is on its trial! It sums up the position by saying that the great questions are the maintenance of British credit abroad md the preservation of social order at Home.- 4gain, ~ this is the obvious, and it is hardly | ikel.y that the “Times” has the monopoly of British prescience, and alone sees the position as it is. Some perceptive genius might he allowed n)sp to the statesmen of Great Britain.. T!.‘P “Times” however, draws the conclusion that the country’s situation depends on the restoration of the country’s finances. Mr Lloyd George mentioned this fact some days ago, so the “Times” at the best makes a belated discovery of the effective cure. Having diagnosed the patient’s condition it is for the autnorities to apply ,tlie remedies. This, of course, is much easier lsiid than done; still we cannot believe that ihp task, tremendously difficult as it is, is impossible. The nation has put its faith in the Premier before, and the faith was not misplaced. In Ids various offices he has proved again and again to be the right man in the right place, h/wJ his record suggests both confidence and pufience in regard to his leadership to bring the country hack to sanity, solvency and security.

ITiik most disturbing factor in regard to the outlook is the report ns to the i acute tension within the Cabinet itself. This is accounted for probably by the composite character of (the Coalition Ministry ,tlie three parties do not knit well on all subjects. There are so many complex questions arising affecting various political principles that naturally some of the personages find a strain put upon their political good faith. This will be the case no doubt with the Labor members, and in a lesser degree with the Liberals. The impasse suggests that while it m possible to carry on successfully with a Coalition Ministry in time of national crisis, when only one main objective is in sight, it is extremely difficult to do so successfully when the tension is past and the country is returning normal conditions. This was the problem ahead of the Liberals in this country when Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues elected to withdraw from the National Ministry. Something of the same thing is happening at Home now. The Labor members are dropping out, and others are likely to withdraw with the result that instead of being a composite'Ministry of parties it will largely a Ministry of one party. The presence of Mr Lloyd Georgo gives color to the coalition blend, notwithstanding that the rest of the Cabinet

nre now largely Unionist or Conscrva-j tive. Tt' Mr Lloyd George were to | withdraw it is easy to see that the coalition would ho at an end. Tub Daily News suggests that the Premier should retire, t>ut realises at the same time that the action would he the death blow to tne Ministry. The Daily Net a Liberal organ, and it might

lx; In., ’up; on the probable result of the Paisiey election as an opportune moment to press for a disruption. The present time is a very critical period for a reshuffling of the political cards. f)n the faco of it it would bo a much j safer course for the country to trust

lie present Government with all its illeged short comings, to see the pre;ent session through as comfortably I ind securely as possible. There is too J nucli at stake just now to waste time iver a political crisis. Whatever Min-' stry were in power the task ahead of t would be so stupendous that it could lever restore conditions to normality without a protracted period of delay ind comparative inaction. The situation boils itself down to the fact that it cannot be relieved by legislation alone. There must be a responsive effort on the part of the people—all classes—to help themselves. Above all there must be a greater industrial effort to stem the financial situation—to produce more, import less, and export more. The financial balance will then tilt the right way from natural and not artificial causes, and this mending of the position will be all tor the benefit of the patient from every point of view.

Oun own political position should come li'iore to the surface now. To-day the Reform party is to meet in caucus, and tiie principal outcome will be the reorganisation of the Ministry. Mr Massey has had nearly two months to con over the position. The length of time taken shows the difficulties of the position. The fact that he is consulting his party indicates his personal difficulties in making a choice. It is high time, however, the Ministry were effectively constituted and got down to business. Several of the Ministers are filling portfolios temporarily. This applies to some of the chief departments of the country’s administration,

and this makeshift arrangement is not | at all conducive to the best measure of . control. The North Island in the mean- j time has been busy voicing its wishes for a larger say in political control by securing more resident Ministers. It is anxious particularly to capture the portfolio of Minister of Public Works, who at this time will be one of the most important of the administrative Ministers. Probably the North Island will not have appealed in vain—though there is not any outstanding Reform member resident in that part of the Dominion specially fitted for the portfolio. If such an appointment comes to pass the North Island appears to be building on a spoils to the victor policy, and the South Island must needs keep a watchful eye on the political outlook.

Thf. country will be disposed to give reasonable support to the immigration policy Mr Massey is inaugurating. ■There are many waste places in New Zealand which require filling up. The war took its toll' of the population, and now the period of prosperity prevailing is making more room for additional population. A careful scheme of selection as to the right class of imjwj&Tants should find favor with the people, und be well worth endorsing as a correct line of policy. Also, i.t should not be difficult to attract the ijghtkipd of people. New Zealand’s way record, agd the demeanour of her people at Home, hayc lesfablished the fame of the Dominion abroad.- This country offers special attractions which might bo readily availed of by Home people, where the conditions of living are said just now to be particularly stringent, fa domestic circles there is an opening for milch imported help. \\hjjp in the ranks of labor skilled employees any jnuch in demand. -lli.e present range of wages will be attractive no "doubt?, apd under a j»chomr offering liberal concessions assured employment on arrival, a goodly band of )"m----pijgpnts should find their way to this country. Upip they set out, there should not be any difficulty'—ip placing the new arrivals and this face is the assurance that with the right class of people the immigration policy should be instantly supgessfni,

As time passes by it is demonstrated over and ove ragain what a useful asset Cass Square is to the town. Its central position makes it an ideal play-ground,, and its vogue with the townspeople should ensure it securing more attention from the authorities and making it more popular still. The flora] fete held this week showed what could be done in raising money. If tbo citizens took up a form of carnival once ;i year, and raised money for the improvement of Cass Square and other public grounds a very useful service would be done. Cass Square might well he made more of as a playground than .it is. If could b,e outfitted with swings and other accessories for enjoyment for the children.. Facilities could be afforded for boiling water etc., for picnic parties. The grounds could ho put in more attractive order, and the corner plots brighten ed by flowers. The ring fence should be painted and the grounds generally kept more in a condition for use by the people, rather than a. commonage for depasturing stock. Probably Cass Square will become* the site for the Westland War Memorial, and for this purpose alone the grounds must needs be renovated. Altogether the place requires a. complete overhaul and general attention to fit it more and more for the* purpose it should fill. Perhaps if the Borough Council took up the matter, and invited the citizens to co-oper-ate’the money for the purpose suggested would be raised very readily and cheerfully.