The Guradian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, MAY 8th, 1923. POLITICAL OUTLOOK

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1923, Page 2

The Guradian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, MAY Bth, 1923. POLITICAL OUTLOOK

Tiie days arc passing into weeks, and the weeks are slipping by, in in about six weeks’ time we shall have Parliament again assembling. Probably the Prime Minister lias found the time fly, for he has had a. busy three months with election petitions and by-elections. Looking ahead he will no doubt sec some rocks, and he will require to he on deck all the time to avoid disaster. He will have to recast Cabinet owing to the final loss of Mr Lee, and ho must take on more work himself by reason of the state of the health of the Minister of Railways. It would appear, therefore, that Mr Massey will not be present at tho Imperial Conference this year, and it may bo expected that the High Commissioner will be deputed to act. Judging by the interim financial statement Mr Massey will not be present at the Imperial Conference this year, and it may he expected that the High Commissioner will he deputed to -act. Judging by the interim financial statement Mr Massey gave out during tho Oamaru contest, the Dominion finance for the moment will not be the most engrossing feature of the political outlook. It will he the state of parties which will keep the Premier most concerned. The state of parties is such that Mr Massey’s policy will lie governed by the disposition of his courtesy majority drawn from the Liberals. The three votes which operate so importantly for Mr Massey cannot lie regarded as stable props for his party. It is conceivable that as a result of the Oamaru contest and the expression of public opinion which is veering so pointedly towards the Liberals, that the three members who were elected as Liberals, but who vote Reform, may revise their views on the political outlook, and be more disposed to go now with thetfr natural inclinations. On that account Mr Massey has to be specially circumspect in his policy moves. The discussions in tho public press, too, indicate that tho Government is being criticised, if not actually from within, at all events from a class of supporters who hitherto gave tho Government a good deal cf unqualified support. The substantial taxpayer is making himself heard, and is criticising the methods of administration which tends to keep up taxation. Really it is in regard to taxation that Mr Massey must next revise his policy. He is pledged to do so in respect to some of the special taxation introduced for war purposes, but which is still retained though the war is no more. The fact that he is calling out loudly about a surplus suggests at once that he is taking too much out of the pockets of the people, and he "ill be expected to retrieve the position without delay, by reducing taxation. Another matter for attention is electoral reform. With thpoo parties MtfibHshf'4 iu th*

Dominion, it is necessary to afford a legitimate means for the expression of public- opinion at the ballot-box. Votesplitting must always he u disaster to two out of the three contestants, and the result cannot satisfy any party. The victor knows he can hold his position only on sufferance, and this unsettlcment docs not tend towards stable action. So there must come a measure of electoral reform. Mr Massey to do him credit, saw this some time ago, and promised it, hut ho lias not fulfill his promise—yet if he were genuinely honest- about it, lie. would go on with tho bargain he made with tho people from the hustings. It is conceivable that with regard to electoral reform lie may lie impelled to take action. If he does not do so it will be competent for the other two parties to combine for the purpose in mind, and to oppose that step would he a negation of his own political belief, and promise of reform. Altogether the political outlook presents much that is likely to he of wide interest, when Parliament comes to grips again in about six weeks’ time.