The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 5th, 1924. IN TROUBLED WATERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY sth, 1924. IN TROUBLED WATERS.

The Labor Government at Home con-

tinues in troubled waters in the House ol Commons. Some seven or more divisions on minor questions have gone against the Government, but the .Ministers stick to olliee. We recall that on one occasion in a snap division on the supply of ammunition on hand, the Liberal Government under Mr Camphcll-llaiinermiinn was defeated and promptly went out of olliee. These are different times. Jl is sail that the Liberals at Home who are the main stay of the Labor (iovoriiniont so lar as olliee is concerned, are not ready for a general election. Party funds are said to he mw! Whatever truth there may he in this, the effect so far as the Labor Ministry is concerned must lie satisfactory. They have the prestige and emoluments of olliee, and it must he confessed are not cutting a had figure in a general sense. Ministers rail against the Liberals at times, for which ingratitude Mr Lloyd George has verbally chastised them, blit their policy programme is not unduly radical and in the main has suited the Liberals who remain always in the position of being able to call tlie political 'time. Meantime Ministers are gaining a great deal of valuable experience and most useful knowledge as to world matters in general and Empire subjects in particular. The period of Labor in power is usefully educative for the party as a. whole, nnd in some iaspects has had a good allround effect. Ministers have taken a sane view of the situation and their own position, and while not being unreasonable. have had their minds widely broadened on many large questions of the day which have to he faced by the statesmen of the world. Labor, in particular, was alike happy and fortunate in its choice of Prime Minister. When tiie hour struck for Labor to rule and direct it- was a good thing for the party, and not a had thing for the United Kingdom and the Empire at large, that a personage of Mr Ramsay McDonald's calibre was available. Fie was able to call to power with him several useful colleagues of the sane order nnd had at Jiis service some radical Liberals who have done the country as a whole good service in coming to the direct assistance of the Government. Tt is specially useful for the Empire that Labor should understand the foreign policy necessary for the integrity of Imperial authority. Mr MacDonald has done good work exploring the devious avenues which the pursuit of foreign relations call for. lie lias done well with the European situation, and has been tactful in Asia. He is now inking n close grip of Africa, particularly in relation to Egyptian affairs nnd allied interests. The Prime Minister lias indicated the status quo must ho maintained in the Sudan. This is a decision of moment, and it is the stronger coming from the Labor leader. In regard to Empire topics Libor is learning a g'oat deal, nnd has a mind receptive to learn much more. The occasion promises to offer very soon. Altogether the bailor Government has out n not unsatisfactory figure and its good work is being well appreciated.