WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

POLITICAL I DEALS. SIR JOSEPH WARD’S REFLECTIONS. SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. \YELLINGTON, Feb. 23 Sir Jusepli Ward seen this morning; could not be induced to express any opinion concerning I lie present political situation. "I don’t feel that f should be justiliod in talking current polities for publication just now,” he explained. “T mean, of course, the politics which affect the “party tangle” and which for the moment are uppermost in the public mind. These are questions for Parliament to settle Cor itself and it would be impertinent for me to offer any advice as to how (hey should be settled.” Sir Joseph was a little more communicative when pressed for his view of the three party system. “The system is an intolerable nuisance to the politician,” he said emphatically, “but it does not follow it is detrimental to the interests of the country. At any rate you can’t get rid of third parties by Act of Parliament or by Order-in-Couneil. They seem to be an inevitable part of the process of political evolution and to come, and go as need for them grows and wanes.” Sir Joseph could not be surprised into expressing an opinion as to the need for the present Labour Party. TTe smiled at the attempt and declared lie was not entitled to speak on the mat-

ter. TDK CONSTITUTION \L POSITION Sir Joseph, so he said, had no light to throw upon the constitutional position. Air M.assey, he thought, had <1 tiiiLo< 1 the precedents correctly enough, though there was room for differences of opinion as to their application. Tt was open to question, for instance, whether a party saved from defeat by three votes from the other side of polities on a specific issue only could fairs lv claim to have the confidence of the country. There could he no doilht, however, that the Reformers constituted the largest of the three parties in the House and that, with an agreement between the Liberals and Labour impossible, it was the only party likely to he able to carry on. The broach between the Liberals and Labour was very much to lie deplored from the progressives’ point of view, but till Labour came down from the clouds to practical polities there would be no chance of reviving the old compact. Sir Joseph- had gathered from the reports el their speeches in the newspapers list the Labour members bad somewhat moderated the lone ol their criticism. and he hoped the change indicated a -ironing sense ot responsibility. The Labour Rally contained some of the most capable members in the House, and some of the most patriotic, and vet, it seemed to him, through sheer v.nntoncss had estranged the sympathy of many people who shared most of its ideals. FIX A NCR.

The ex-Liheral loader remains as optimistic as ever in regard to the ultimate future of the Dominion. “This is a splendid little country the veiy best in the world, for the man who ts not intoxicated hv feverish ambit ions,” he said with warm enthusiasm. "Hit”

( lie added after a pause, “we have taken i |)on ourselves burdens in con- ■ nection with the war which are going jto tax our courage and our resources |to the utmost. Thanks to an exeepi tionallv favourable season and io good prices for nearly till our primary tiroducts, we are getting a little breathing space just now. There is plenty of money at Home for investment, on short-dated loans, and those condij turns are reflected to some extent here. But good seasons and high prices catt- ! not always be with us, and now is the | time to he making provision against j less favourable conditions.” The re- [ duetioii of taxation, Sir Joseph went I on to say. was the most urgent need |of the day. High taxation was imperative during war time, because the country was compelled to live on its capital and the supreme need left it with nn alternative But now, with a return to sound economics possible, industry and enterprise should he re, lieved from every hampering restriction. What New Zealand wanted above all other things was. in Mr Massey’s adapted slogan, production, more production and still more production. It, was the Government’s duty to see the eountrv got it. THE LIBERAL PARTY.

Referring, in conclusion, to the Liberal Party, Sir Joseph said he had no fear of it ever becoming extinct, either by enervation or absorption. Its destiny did not rest in the hands of any particular set of politicians, hut in the hearts and understandings of people who stood for sane and well-order-ed progress with equality of opportunity and equality of sacrifice. It would have its lips and downs, ns every other political party had, but its traditions and achievements and ideals would remain to inspire future generations of earnest people. There was not a single democratic measure of first-class importance oil tlie Statute Book that bail not been put there by the instrumentality of the Liberal Party. Some, of the Liberal measures had been amended by the successors of the party with the honest intention, no doubt, of improving them, but their haste principles remained as testimony to the progressive spirit that ■ promoted them.