The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1930. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1930. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

I he latest news, all of which of course, is unofficial, seems to indicate that the political situation created by the resignation ol Sir Joseph Ward, will iron nself out in a. manner not unsatisfactory to the United Party. There is one striking aspect about the effect of Sir Joseph’s resignation, and that is the unanimous tribute from all sides to the high qualities possessed by the great leader. Bitter opponents are now constrained to throw off the camouflage of party politics, and seek to do justice to a statesman who never had a very fair run from his political opponents. Time has been on'the side of Sir i Joseph and has justified his policy. We I referred the other day to his stroke or I genius in providing a battleship for the Empire which served such practical purpose in the hour of emergency. No public man was more maligned than was Sir Joseph over that far-seeing action. Again with finance how often has his political opponents sought to discredit his genius as a financier. Yet. whenever in power, first with Air Seddou, and later in his own Government, lie kept rein on the public finance,- and could emerge .always with a credit balance. When the National Government was called into being, Sir Joseps again demonstrated- his financial wizardry, and placed the country in a very sound position. Next, when called to office in 1928. he had to tackle the difficult- position left by Reform, and ho performed the task as successfully as of yore, and not only produced a surplus, small though it lie, lnit also floated a loan on the tight London market very successfully. His political critics in reviewing his busy record, could not ignore these outstanding results achieved under very difficult cir-

cum,stances, and have had the grace now to pay tribute where tribute was well and truly earned. Jt would appeal' that the country is not likely to iose entirely the services of Sir Joseph, ai.d tliat he will he a member of the Executive, without po-rtfoio, and there will still he the opportunity to eonsuit him regarding very important policy questions, including of course all aspect of national finance. This is a very satisfactory arrangement, and 1 will, give greater confidence to the new Min-

istry when set up. We shall probably know after to-morrow wluit is to transpire in regard to the new Government. The general indication is that Mr Forbes will be Prime Minister with -Mr Ransom as his chief henchman. Loth are sound on the Liberal land policy, and it is not unlikely in view ol the preparations which have been going on for some time, that a very forward move will he made at the forthcoming session,regarding the extension of land .settlement. Such a. step will he of great help in assuring the future of the country, and any developments to that end will be awaited with interest. It may be expected that the personnel of the new Cabinet will be akin to that of the last, with an adjustment of the portfolios. One new member is expected to be added, and this is likely to be Mr Murdoch, the Chief Whip of the United Party. There is some suggestion that the Government repre-AUitation in the, Upper rumse will be strengthened and an exmember of the North Island, a prominent supporter of the Government, might be induced to join the Ministry and assist Sir Thomas S-dey, These are all speculations, but they indicate the possibility of a strong team. The Govrnmeut, however, will remain a minority party, and the general position is such that there is always a degree of uncertainty about the future, i'nere is a growing feeling, however, that Parliament, will run out its term, due to the fact that Labour is not disposed to attempt- any overt act which might give Refmm an early opportunity of office. Reform for its part is not likely to assist Labour with any desire for the latter’s political advancement. so that, in this a rather interesting political triangle, the United Party is the lesser of two evils to the other parties. If .this state of, suspended neutrality exists for the coming session, it is not unlikely that the United Government will be able to dig itself in behind a sound policy of safe finance and land settlement development. In other words, the successful Einorai administration of past years will he revived, and should result in a general forward movement assuring the national stability, and thereby safely weathering the present difficulties of the world which ere a year passes, should ease materially, and so safeguard the future for New Zealand