The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated tire West Coast limes.) MONDAY, JANUARY 28th, 1924. WHITHER WENDING ?

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated tire West Coast limes.) MONDAY, JANUARY 28th, 1924. WHITHER WENDING ?

Whither wending? It is the political question of tho hour at Honye. J he immediate future will be watched with the closest interest all round the world. Never before has there been such a set of cireumstancos to rivet public attention. Within Great Britain all are agog waiting to seo what is going to come to pass. 1 hroughout the British Empire, spread over the Seven Seas, public interest in the course of events is no less engrossed. In alien countries Britain’s foreign policy in particular and the general trend of tho radical legislation to ho brought forward, will be followed with keen concern. The Cabinet and its subsidiaiy posts are now practically idled, and it is being realised that while the first Labor Government certainly is not “red.” presaging revolution, equally it is not an incapable administration. r l lie post, are not filled with administrate novices. Apart from those who had experience in office during the time of the coalition, there are in the Cabinet mans whe made a close study of social and other work, which qualifies them to preside over important departments. The Government certainly holds office !»y the grace of the Liberals. Liberal and Labor were on common ground in opposing the protective policy of tile late Government, and the two radical brandies of the Parliament aro also agreed fairly well on a foreign policy, and in regard to such matters ns the reparations and overtures to Russia, to renew trading alliances. There is even a considerable degree of agreement as affecting opposition to French methods of dealii*' with Germany. In regard to domestic affairs, the Liberals are to support Labor in all reasonable efforts to minimise the effects of unemployment and to assist legitimately in the housing problem. In regard to a capital levy, to assist in repaying the national debt-', there is room for a divergence of opinion, and Mr MacDonald will require to be extra considerate -.or the feelings of the House generally if a capital levy policy is to be introduced. As regards nationalisation, also, the Prime Minister must needs move circumspectly. The future of the Labor Government with the people as a whole, is to so shape its domestic policy ns to capture the imagination of tile democracy. To achieve that great objective there will lie a considerable task set Labor, which ft now about to face its real test politically. Over the many years governing its growth, Labor has been a ready critic, quick to blame, slow to appreciate. It has now to face a task wherein others failed according to the demands of Labor. Its remedies and its notions may now have play, hut in the attempt to achieve large national reforms it must he careful not to stampede public opinion so disposed at the moment to give it a fair run. Above all it must bo extremely careful not to create a feeling of financial insecurity. The greatness of the Motherland in the financial world has been for sorhe time beyond reproach. It is a delicate suhjoct—many sided—and a false step might do a great deal to undo the national credit. But the members of the Cabinet are not without knowledge of the pitfalls. Probably Labor will realise as quickly as anyone the delicacies of the situation, and at the

some time, its occasion of opportunity. That being so, tho immediate future nil; be the more interesting, for it will bring out the skilful statesmanship there is latent in the composite Ministry