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Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1922, Page 2

Will the “classical” Liberals in this country come back to political power? In Britain,, there are hopes that the “classical” Liberals under Mr Asquith’s leadership will be the coming power. That does not appear to be so, so fains the political horizon may be read from this side of the world. Nor does the political horizon nearer home give much prospect of the return of tho Liberals. But this year will be a year of decision for the people of New Zealand and already the political quid mines are getting busy with their hazards. They made a premature beginning by associating Sir Joseph Ward and his son with prospective , engagements for next general election. The circumstantial statement given out by the press, was promptly denied by the principals concerned, but so much smoke went up that there is just the impression there may be fire there after all. At least the Liberals are moving. They have had a caucus in Wellington, and affirmed Mr Wilford as their leader. No doubt if Sir Joseph Ward’s health permits his return to the arena, Mr Wilford would readily step aside for so valuable .a leader. But the sanest action of the caucus was to reciilisten itself the Liberal-Labor party. That was the title under which Mr Seddon scored his greatest victories. It is a healthy sign to find the party recurring to its old name. The labor element.in the Liberal policy while never ultra-radical, was democratically sound in its political application. The Labor laws of tho Seddon regime gave the first start to the improved condition of the workers. It was sane and sensible legislation, securing the health and safety of the men, ennobling industry and securing better pay for the masses. The Liberals gave labor its stepping stone. Organised Labor for a time was grateful, but of late years cut itself apart and has gone its own way. Its political advancement has been of the negative order. There is a big division of sane labor in this country ready to throw, its let in with the Liberals and starting betimes it will be possible for this alliance to take a useful shape. The Labor party as conducted of late has been Mr Massey’s chief asset in keeping him in power. Doubtless Labor is beginning to see tho error of its ways, and, if so the Liberal Labor party will emerge a very strong combination at the general elections.

Thk Hale of the surplus New Zealand butter at Home should go a long way to bring about an improvement in price of vital importance to the producing dairy fanner. For some time past, the surplus stored in England by the Imperial authorities has been bearing the market, but with the great reserve stock out of the way, as the demand improves, prices must rise and the London market will no doubt control prices in this country. For a time it looked as though a butter pool would be required as well as a meat pool to stabilise prices, but the experience in regard to the butter, seoms to suggest that before going too far with the meat pool the position should be reconsidered in the light of changed circumstances. There is little doubt that the butter was cleared because of the cheapening of prices. The commodity hitherto had been too dear for the mass consumers who put up with margarine and other substitutes. It is b.etter for the health of the nation to use the ! genuine article, and for. this reason alone, it is good news to learn that the great gtock in hand has gone into

tHe open market. The winter season at Home is passing away and it is not unreasonable to believe that imported supplies from the continent and elsewhere, were shortening. This fact would help the market. If this be a fair estimate of the position, there is reason to believe that the next northern winter should see a return to normal conditions of supply and demand, and prices will be governed naturally. The experience of late has taught the hard fact that it is better to wait patiently for the normal conditions than to try and regulate conditions artificially. With the passing of the strenuous circumstances which the imperative needs of war time create, trade and intercourse must settle down again naturally. As regards the Horne trade, freights will of necessity improve before long. The glut of shipping will cause that desirable event to come to pass. Trade is recovering generally, and with patience the dairy farmer in common with the rest of the producers, will witness a return to more normal and satisfactory conditions. But there may be a brief lean time in the interval, and it is as well to | recognise that fact