The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Const Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1925. IN THE MEETING ROT.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1928, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Const Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1925. IN THE MEETING ROT.

! Poi,mi's in >iew Zealand are indeed I in the meltiny pot. On all sides ad--1 vice ;md criticism nre being oil'crcd on I the political situation. It (iocs not apj pear jiossihle lor the quiduuinH to agree licvoiid the first move in Li it: mini veiling 1 0l the tangle v. liich is to begin on Tuesday. There is general agreement j in the view that with the assembly ol Parliament an adverse motion will result in the defeat of the Government, and the call to Sir J. G. Ward to form a new .Ministry. Then there is disagreemnt as to what is to iollou with the United Party on the Treasury benches. (>no of rile lectors in the general prosperity of -New Zealand, and the standing of its ereditt abroad, has been the staoility of its public administration. pur upwards of forty years now the country has been governed by a safe .Ministry. There was the long reign of the Liberals, and then the extended innings of I'el'orui. The confidence of the world at large came from the fact that the Government. was in definite hands, and the line- of policy to be pursued could he understood. 'lbis confidence Imm tin stability of the party in power for iii time being, must have helped the credit •of the country abroad, and it would fe well if conditions were to ref urn agnii to normal. Hut something has to transpire before that may come to pass. With the aid of the Independents. Sir Joseph will he able to muster a following of about 3'2 in a Mouse of SO. To assure stability, strength must be drawn from some other quarter, or the Uni teds will in turn lie defeated as a government. Tt would probably suit the United Party better than either of file other parties to court defeat, as there would then be reason to appeal to the country again, and the Unitcds would have the greater prestige and the best prospects. But another general election would be costly and dislocating. and Sir Joseph as a wise administrator. will doubtless endeavour to avoid the expense and risk of another election eampangn. It would appear from the latest indications that the Reform party placing country before party, will also aim at such an arrangement as will permit the Uniteds to carry on, and the Labour party is likely to assist to the same end. This of course is all contingent on the sweet reasonableness of the new policy. The policy has to he of a progressive character to be of value to the country.- and it remains to be seen how the ideas of the new Government and the Opposition will dovetail with regard to what may he considered progress. The task of dealing.with unemployment seems to be of paramount consideration, and it remains to be seen from what angle that can be attempted to the best adnntage, A simple waving of the wand

will not accomplish success. Jhat can be only progressive, and the degree ol progress will lie a factor in the altitude of the Opposition. Tre situation is therefore very intricate, but after all. Sir Joseph has the host of the outlook, for if the combined forces of Reform and Labour fail to give him a hearing on what lie believes will he practical reforms for the benefit of the country, then lie "ill have the right to ask for a dissolution ami appeal to the people again. It is this alternative which will chock any haste in bringing jiboul another election, and by a degree of compromise (so aceepta le to the parliamentary machine) the Government will carry on. Apart from any consideration for country, the parties will probably feel that they have exhausted •their main istrenglh, financial and otherwise, in the late engagement, and time is required to recuperate. With a change of Government just taking place there would he little scope for attack—certainly none for sins of commission—and the public feeling that, the Government should have its chance would doubtless send ISii Joseph hack stronger than ever. For this reason, both Reform and Labour will he inclined to wait and see what p.Jicy is to i.e disclosed, and how it is |o be. applied. In oilier words, the new Government seems to he likely to have tlie opportunity of a fair run anil the chance to justify itself.