The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, MAY 24th, 1923. WHITHER WENDING.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, MAY 24th, 1923. WHITHER WENDING.

Tiif.p.e is a good deal of comment in regard to tho result of the Queensland elections, which ended in n decided victory for Labor. The matter is being regarded, naturally from varying standpoints, hut polities were ever revolutionary and there is no occasion for special alarm. Queensland has had some experience of Labor government and in view of Quit fact the result takes on greater importance. But it has to be remembered that the forces opposing Labor were divided. Tiioy were not united, and wliat really happened on a large scale in Queensland came to pass in Westland in December last, when for similar reasons, Labor was victorious. Labor made an effective split in Queensland and, ns a consequence, is more firmly in the political saddle than ever in that State. There is the trend in the same direction nt Home, where Labor made great gains at the last poll, and is now promising at no remote date to come into power. Labor in Britain is dicing modelled on more moderate lines and the leaders of the party there, are, as it were, preparing for accession to power, by an expression of moderation and a vein of good sense which robs Lalior rule of much of the terror with which it was once regarded. The political evolution going forward is a natural change resultant from the state of parties, which from time to time plead for support on policies prepared to catch the imagination of the people. Front the days of Tory and Whig this lias been the essential game ot politics, a.nd naturally over that long period there lias been a progressive change. In all parties Conservative and Liberal —there is necessarilv a radical element, and it is from that quarter wltero there is persistent effort in the direction of advancement.. ” Till the mere radical party espousing the cause of Labour canto to the front, the demand lor “advancement" was not as pronounced ns it is to-day. There was a time when King Edward declared we “were all socialists”, but the socialism of those times was distinct from the moie “advanced” brand of to-day. Meantime, political evolution lias lieen going forward, and so with socialism, ns with other “isms”, there is a distinctly radical advance. The test of all tlie “isms” is practice, and that can come only with opportunity. I,altor in Australia is having its day and its chance to make good. But with the yoke of authority upon it there is at once a check to extremes. A reckless policy cannot be pursued, because national disaster would ensue and the creators of that catastrophe would bo turned out of office. Labor in New South Wales so suffered extinguishment, but the party is not- dead, any more than anv other party turned out of office. Evolution is still going on, and all parties are making their changes. The present party in power in New Zealand is fearful lest Labor should come into power, but it is useless for Reform to endeavour to stampede public opinion merely by threats. If Reform wishes to keep Labor out, Reform has to do so on its own political merits; that is, produce a policy and a condition of sane government which will satisfy the people. For the time being Reform owes its position to the three party split, and that split has been created

by {lie demand among sections of the people for radical measures. The party in the past which proved best able to meet such a situation was 4 lie Liberal party. Its whole traditions are in that direction, and it is along a policy of broad liberalism that the party in power must move, or the government will pass into the hands of those demanding more radical measures still. Electors will he wise to educate themselves politically if they wish to east their votes in the direction giving the best results.