The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23rd, 1924. WHOM TO TRUST.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23rd, 1924. WHOM TO TRUST.

In considering the political trend of these troublesome times, it is well to study out where trust can be given with the greatest degree, of safety. The obvious answer appears to us to le that the Liberals, on performances, are entitled to the greatest confidence. The Liberals have never failed the masses. They have never discouraged Labor for instance. Indeed, it was Liberal legislation which did the real services for the workers in regard to great social legislation. Further it was the Liberals wlio respected the rights of property and gave security to that degree that public confidence in tho financial integrity of the country was assured. There is no royal road to rapid political emancipation. Reforms must come hv degrees; Violent changes are not good for any country. Political as social evils can be removed by a gradual process only. If attempting otherwise there is sooner or later a reaction more or less violent. The position at Home now is that the Labor Party by itself is impotent. Were it associated with the Liberals in a moderate policy of reform, enormous good could be done; but with Labor impotent to direct the Commons, the chief contribution to the political situation at tho moment will be to help the Conservatives. After all, English.

men least of all like violent changes such as Socialism would create. Above all do they love their country; and when a man such as the loader of the I.t hor Party at Home considers himself an Englishman only by accident, and to this extent so regards his country, a wedge is driven into the political situation which separates at once those who love their country from fliosc who regard it not with favor. Labor aims at rilling only for labor. With the Liberals, all classes must he represent<d, and not the Labor classes alone. Rut to succeed with a political policy there must he often as not something more than a majority vote behind the party. There must he tiie cousideratioi for the opposition he it great or small. Evolution rather than revolution should he the process of political reform. The spirit of compromise must ii(> abroad of necessity, and particularly does this apply to the details governing the application of political principles. To ensure respect for the law ot the land, there must he consideration for the people as a whole, and looking over the wide field of polities, the party host able by knowledge, experience and promise to achieve the host results, is the Lilieral party. 3 he process of the political settlement both at Home and here will he watched with considerable interest. ’The party dillieulties in both instances are very much akin, and each will he watching developments in the hope of deriving some inspiration. Rut in the end the people will decide. Tt is for the electors to equip themselves with knowledge and understanding of the political parties Tin old Liberal saying of “trust the people,’’ is ns sound to-day as ever. And if the people will think impersonally and judge the merits of the party not L.v the glamour of fair promises, hut by the performance of promises in the past, there can he no doubt where the hulk of the votes will go. and whom the electors will trust. It these passing thoughts on the political aspects of the times will induce others to turn matters over in their rninds the reference will not have been in vain. Political thought will bring decision