The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, SEPT 5th 1921. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, SEPT sth 1921. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

-In the course of ai letter from Wellington the other day, it itressitiiiti remarked that until the hit; test football mnteh uas decided next Saturday, there would he ''nothing doing” in politics in the Kmpire City. Seeing tlmt the opening of the most important session of I’ar’.m-iiit-nt ever held in Nett Zealand is only a little more than a fortnight a tray, the attitude adopted in the capital city may j he considered akin to that described in the days of old when Nero fiddled tt liile i I'ome was ablaze. However, this idee far niente spirit cannot go,on indeliuitely, for the rude awakening will crime sooner or later if thu finances of the country are not set in order. Mr Massey is now hack to tlu* Dominion, and the formal opening of l’arliainent will take plaee ill advanee of his arrival, hut of course only preliminaries will lie possible priod to his advent. Mr Massey is rather more than the head and Government of the Ministry. He is, in fact, the Ministry. Wo have seen during his absence that even small departmental matters have had (o he held up for his decision, so that, apparently more than at any time, we have an essentially one man government. The Prime Minister will have his hands very full when he leturns. The apparently trilling matters held over for him to determine, will he surcharged by the matters of State, and his burden will he a heavy one. Probably what will help him more than anything else will he the docility of his parly following, and the weakness of the opposition. A party caucus and a Ministerial statement will do much to make his wav easy with the mnmrity of jhe Members of flip Hpuso—as a)s'o of

the Council. In regard to the opposing side of Parliament, the parties arc very much torn asunder and at variance. The best they can do is to criticise. They are ton disintegrated to lie impressive in numbers on a division. Mr Massey will be able therefore to outline bis policy accordingly, but he must ever keep ill mind the fact that a general election is looming ahead, and that next year will lie the real test of his strength and leadership. The heavy taxation imposed and still maintained by the Government largely to supply money for Isinusos to producers, and higher wages to Slate and Industrial Workers, combined with an inflated departmental expenditure, has impressed itself nil the minds of the taxpayers, who are opening their eyes to the position. Mr .Massey’s administration has led up to. From this source will come the most, intlnential volume of opposition the present party has yet eticouuH red. ami much of it "ill he I rent i|..mid.on supporters ol the liefirm side ot politics. Reform promised lunch, hut it has performed very little in that line. It has belied tin- name it appropriated to itself. Even so late as the last general election, the party has fallen lar short ol its platlorlll jjiomiscs, and with many classes of people there will be a considerable account to settle when next there is the opportunity for public opinion to < xpress itse|| at. the ballot-box. Mr Massey, however, will return with a. good deal

of honor about him, and the prestige lie has won may give him greater eonkdoiice to assert himself more Individic ll.v and strike out inure drastically for tin masses rather than the classes. Certainly. lie u ill have that opportunity ion t • make gnod. and it lie fails. Jig lilanie will lie his alone, for he is the all-powerful one in directing the political pnlie.v of tile Dominion.