The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1923. STRATEGY IN POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1923. STRATEGY IN POLITICS.

The xips and downs of political life, remarks tho Lyttelton Times, are frequently remarkable, but sometimes

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the twists and changes of individuals are even more striking, while party organs are known to contradict themselves with unblushing ease. Not more than two months ago the ltelorm politicians and newspapers of this country were telling the people every day that the Liberal Party was dead, or so nearly dead as to be <-l no account, whereas to-day they are agreed that the good Reform Government can continue to exist only by the grace of the Liberals. In the first week of December .Mr Wilford was condemned as a kind of political adventurer, a man lacking in ballast and character; but ill the second week of the same month the Reformers were falling over each other to nominate Mr Wilford for the Speakership of the House of Representatives, by virtue of bis judgment, his fairness, experience and other rjualifieatiolis. When this bait was not taken they changed their tactics and now the Reformers have anticipated the House by deciding that Mr Statliani is to have the Speakership on the nomination of the Reform Rartv—which he retired from and condemned and opposed with all his strength and ability. Polities, sometimes, is anything but an elegant game. Over in Australia flic people have had many exhibitions of political turnings to suit party exigencies and the latest is the retirement of Mr Hughes at tile bidding of one of the parties that opposed him at the recent elections. Mr Hughes's conversion has been complete. Twenty years ago he was a Wharf Labourers’ Union secretary, a demagogue of the demagogues; lie sprang quickly into high political office ns an exponent of Socialism and a denouncer of the Capitalist class and the Capitalist Press. No man was fiercer than .Mr Hughes in attacking the employing class and none more eloquent in defending the workers and expounding the cause of Labour. Mr Hughes has now given up the Premiership of Australia in order to facilitate a consolidation of the anti-Labour torcox in bis Parliament! It may be said that the evolution of this remarkable figure in the public life of Australia lias been natural and sincere; that lie has seen the error of his earlier ways and now believes that the side lie espoused in his political youth constitutes a danger to society. But Air Hughes lies always shown more adroitness than devotion to principles. He is of a domineering type; lie likes his own way; he has held to power and office against great odds. Nobody not possessing outstanding ability could have weathered the storms which have beset Air Hughes, and it must be admitted that he has frequently outwitted opponents on all sides of polities. AVith this ability, however, lie has often strained the loyalty of supporters and the patience of tlie public. He first began to go seriously wrong, we think, when lie failed to redeem the pledge to resign if the conscription referendum was defeated. As plainly as words could say. Air Hughes declared before the poll that if conscription was not sanctioned bis Government would not carry on. Conscription was, however, twice rejected, yet ATr Hughes’s grasp of office was not in the least relaxed. Then came the acceptance of a gift of £2.1.000 from political admirers and. so th:it lie should not =l>o entirely :«lone in obtaining favours, the raising of ihe honorarium of members of Parliament from £4OO to £IOOO. Air Hughes lias been fortunate in so long outliving these indiscretions, lie lias retired now at the order of the Country Party, and a leader acceptable to that party apparently, lias been appointed in bis place by the Nationalists. Air Bruce is comparatively a new man in Australian politics. He is a merchant he fought in the Great War and gained honours on the field, and he lias been Treasurer in the Federal Cabinet. Assuming that his leadership be acceptable to the Country Party, there will probably be some reconstruction in the Ministry and the Government will have a working majority over the Labour Opposition. The effects of these manoeuvres, have, however, yet to be revealed. Fusions are seldom successful for very long. The first of these stratagems ended the political career of the brilliant Air Deakin. while his partner in the deal. Mr (now Sir Joseph) Cook, was never really prominent afterwards. Afr Hughes goes out frankly to make a fusion possible; he does not benefit, but loses, on the bargain—but unless this remarkable politician has greatly changed, developments on his part at any time are to he expected.