The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1923. MAGNANIMITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1923. MAGNANIMITY.

liv the grace ol the I^i• *cr!.!>, the Reform party continues in power tor the time being. Three Liberals voted with .Mr Massey on Friday to save the Prime Minister from defeat, and in addition two Liberals gave their jams for two Reform members who were too ill to attend the House. The latter magnanimous act was returning good for evil, for in lui‘2, when the parties were very even, and Mr T\ ilford was too unwell to attend the division, Reform refused a pair. Mr Ma.-scy will now realise the slender thread by which ho has to carry on. And though he has passed through the session safely, there are still rocks ahead before the next session conies round in the possible byelections which will lie encountered. The majority ol three which was secured last week was composed of three Liberals all ol whom were bitterly opposed by Reform candidates in December last. Mr Roll for instance ousted a Reform member. Mr Witty had to face all the artillery of Reform Opposition including a heavy bombardment of press criticism against which however, he had the useful support of the leading Liberal paper in the Dominion. Mr Jsitt had a Reform candidate against him, but owing to the pledge given in advance, Mr .Isitt had the official Reform support. In (his respect, Mr Isitt did not enter Parliament under false colors. and lie has carried out his compact, to the hitter end. We can imagine that last Friday would not be a very happy day for Mr Isitt. Stalwart Liberal as he lias been, he will be feeling relieved that the wretched business is over, and he can get hack to his old associates. Mr Witty’s action seems to be somewhat unaccountable. As a Liberal of the old days ho was perhaps soured by the fact that lie did not receive Ministerial rank under Sir Joseph Ward, and for some time he showed antagonism to the present leadership. Vet lie went into Parliament as all avowed Liberal and an opponent of Masseyism, whose candidate lie also had to encounter. The why and the wherefore of the change over is not yet disclosed. Later, no doubt, the political world will be the wiser, hut meantime it appears, Mr Witty has crossed over and in a moment reversed his whole political lilfc. It is an action that in itself will take some explaining. Meantime it | is for his constituents to receive some \ explanation of the mystery, if lie can I in the meantime frame a satisfactory j .statement in keeping with his political , frame of mind. Mr Hell is a new re- j emit to Parliament, and comes from I the North of Auckland, wlicie politicinns have a way with them of rapid- i ly changing their color. Very little is i known of Mr Roll's platform pledges, | and lie lias not vouchsafed any public statement, hut ic is known he i'ouglu the December elected labelled as a Lilieral and ousted a Reform member <f Parliament, so Mr Rail evidently ha I to turn a sharp corner in his political career when lie turned over to the Reform government itself. Those happenings are not infrequent in the political world, and Auckland provincial members have been notorious for these quick changes. The result again demonstrates that Reform can accomplish these important turn ovois rather deftly and once again we have the party in power following an interval of intrigue when otherwise the political situation was entirely against the Gu>ernment. To what oxtent a Govcriimcnt maintained on such a wobbly foundation can promote legislation or even hold office, remains to lie seen. There is likely to be more intrigue still, pending the June session, and already two of the cardinal planks of the Liberal policy are foreshadowed by Reform —electoral reform and reduced taxation. Though not in power* the Liberals will exercise a material effect on the Government line of action. Every step will require to be taken with circumspection and regard for tlio feelings of the Opposition. It remains to be seen bow long Mr Massey can tolerate this servitude—by the grace of the Liberals.