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Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1922, Page 2

Ouit Wellington correspondent yesterday referred to the fact that the new Leader of the newly organised Opposition party is not popular personally with some of the old Liberals. This is palpably true fdr we have seen all along how some members of the old party formerly prominent, refuse to range under Mr Wilford’s banner and keep aloof from any caucus gatherings. Mr Wilford’s position, however is growing in strength. He has been moving about the Dominion, seeing and being seen, and he is imposing on possible candidates for parliament that they shaTi adhere to the party soliuly. The discontented while not agreeing to follow Mr Wilford do not offer a satisfactory leader in his place, and to that extent their personal attitude discounted. Mr IV il IV.) id: is proving that he has certain qualities which count greatly in his favour. The sanest thing lie is doing is that in respect- to the organisation he is bringing it about quietly. He is not parading in a noisy way, but quite unostentatiously he is going up and down the country and making his mark quiely. Reserve is a good trait with any leader, and Mr Wilford is not without that quality. Those who are dissatisfied with the selected!leader—that is within the pn4-ty-—should bear in mind that someone has to lead, and Mr Wilford is the choice of the majority. One - of the causes leading up to the disaffection of the Liberals was undoubtedly the lack of discipline which had grown up in the party. The then Leader was much out of the Dominion, and the pro. tern leadership did not hold the party nor the country as it might. That should he a lesson, but we do not know that it is being taken much to heart by the recalcitrants who ace putting their own personality before that of the welfare of the party.

The remarks of our Wellington correspondent suggest that after th e general election the position of leadership of the new party is to be reviewed. This does not seem fair to those who devote themselves to securing success at the coming polls, and then perhaps have to make way for others. In the political arena, there is always an alternative gjovertimeift. Men of substance placed in responsibility, invariably have the knack of rising to the. occasion. The political historjy of this country oqnfirms this vice . When the Bnllanee-Seddon regime came into power more or less unexpectedly, their accession to office was regarded very generally with misgiving. Their policy was considered too radical and they were dubbed plain Socialists. But the beneficence of the rule of the party soon lived down the expressed objections, till to-day there is no party which has gone before, which has left behind a more outstanding record and a hotter public regard for that record, So, too, when Mr Mas* apy cftine into power ho acclaimed much more than his critics gave him ersflit tor, He pftfi feis

sors the compliment of largely pursuing the policy, they had inaugurated even though when in opposition he had personally opposed much of it very bitterly. Mr Massey made good and all went well up to a certain point but the position of the country to-day is such that his best friends and supporters are criticising bis administration and asking for a change. If the change should come this year we need not be fearful of the probable results. The new government will b e composed largely of new men imbued with the idea of succeeding, and with a olearcut purpose before them of' redeeming the position of the Dominion wo believe a strong Cabinet could be formed capable of succeeding ns others have done in the past.