King Country Chronicle Wednesday, January 10, 1912. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 429, 10 January 1912, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, January 10, 1912. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

The announcement issued by the Prime Minister to the effect that Parliament would be called together next month, puts an end to the speculation which has been widely indulged in of late. Sinco the election there has been time for the party leaders to a thoroughly consider the situation and n marshal their forces, and the outcome, of the early session will no doubt be? anticipated by both Sir Joseph Wardi d and Mr Massey. The Prime Minister . gives some indication of his position f in the statement that the. situation is dominated by the small group of Independents. This, of course, was plain to all and the statement by the Prime Minister is tantamount to an admission that he has been unable to secure the allegiance of the party referred to. It is possible that Mr Massey will be successful in securing . the support of the non-party members a to oust the present Government from • office, but it is difficjlt to estimate f how far the support "f such members may be counted upon in the working of Parliament. The advocates of an elective executive, which virtually n means a coalition of the present con--1 tending parties, are steadily gaining l . adherents, and many reasonable people are found supporting such a course as the only way of escape from another appeal to the country. The differences in the platforms advanced by the respective partieß are not suffit ciently great to keep them asunder. Practically tha same financial policy will be pursued by either party, and the social legislation already on the' Statute Boole admittedly meets withi the approval of both. The land policy I of Mr Massey is freehold, and a large r percentage of the Government supi porters are pledged to the same* tenure. With the parties in agreement on the important issues it is difficult to see any reason why an elective) executive should not be created. Tha desire of many for the ousting from office of the present party would thusi be accomplished and a Cabinet formed! of the moat capable men in Parliament set up. That such a culmination would bo for the benefit of the country in general, and make for the best kind of political progress cannot be gainsaid. Whether the long cherished party prejudices, together with the memory of bitterly contested political!', battles, will allow the various ele-• ments to meet in peace and amity for-' the general well being has yet to be i determined.