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Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1920, Page 2

Tiiosk interested in tlie political issues of this country, cannot ,but be struck by the sanity of the remarks of the Leader of the Opposition op file political outlook. iVIy MacDonald i',cp;aj'd» the position nationally, and not from a purely party point of view only. Ho recognises there are difficult times ahead, and he is not offering any fractious opposition to the Government. By his encouraging public statements, strikingly sane and sensible, ho gives the party in power every invitation to go forward as rapidly as possible with the platform they are pledged to, and on the basis of which they secured so large a majority. Jfi would appear that Mr MacDonald is going to give the Government the opportunity of making good. Tile Government is pledged to a line of action which lias been endorsed by the people, and the Opposition a,s led by Mr MacDonald will not oppose anything and everything Mr Massey cares to put beforo Parliament. But the Opposition will expect the policy put before the people from the hustings to be attempted and ,to do that efficiently Mr MacDopaJd recognises tho Government must complete its Cabinet at once. Hence his call upon tho Premier to set about placing liis house in order for tile session. If that is not done quickly, we will have the Premier telling the House when it assembles that Ministers have nob had “time” to formulate their measures. .Mr Massey went back to power with his sweeping majority in December laist, and Parliament will not meet till late .Tune, The Opposition and the country, too, has the right to expect that within the intervening six months Mr Massey should have his programme fully prepared. On Tuesday night Lhe Chamber of Com-

merce very rightly recalled the services J of Sir James Aleln to the Dominion J and the Empire, and very appropriate- ' passed an appreciation motion thereon. Sir' James Allen will be leaving for ; England next month and will take np in London the duties of High Commissioner. Sir James made a notable entry into Parliament, for he won his first seat iby defeating Sir Robert Stout j at Dunedin. lEver since then, Sir James Allen lias been a notable parliamentarian. He was in the cool shades of opposition for long lean years, and ’ when Reform came into power he was i the first lieutenant of the party. But it ; remained for the years of the war for Sir James Allen to make his impress 'on Parliament. He is essentially an earnest man to whom the lighter side 'of life makes but little appeal. Ho took the war seriously and discharged his duties seriously. He had an uphill fight at the outset, for like all countries our defence arrangements ' were all out of joint for the big affray .whi’ch was in hand. It is not too much to say that at times matteis bordered on the chaotic. But Sir James held on his way seriously; determinedly ! _and won through. He served all j through the war as Minister of Defence, ' and his reputation grew year by year, j till now he stands out as a Minister who did his duty wisely and well. His country men have passed this praise I upon him and notably, also, the solj diers from whom come the greatest praise. Sir James has been honored—jhe deserves it and will appreciate it ■ genuinely. It is a fine public reward.