THE Kaipara Advertiser. AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, FEB, 7, 1912. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 7 February 1912, Page 2

THE Kaipara Advertiser. AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, FEB, 7, 1912. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Since the turmoil of the General Election in December last, and the unique position in which the Government of twenty-one years' standing has been placed at the instance of the Reform Party, it is not altogether surlirisiag that at the pyschological moment critical opinion on the political situation should be widely diversiiied. The recent prediction, as voiced by the Dunedin "Star"— a staunch ministerial organ—that it was the intention of Sir Joseph Ward to hand in his resignation as Premier on the eve of Parliament assembly, has. as might have been surmised, turned out to be a pro • verbial mare's nest. As a matter of fact we nevei assumed that the "Dreadnought " baronet would submit to the inevitable without at least showing some fight and nailing his colours to the mast of past maladministration. While.lately enjoying a brief respite from his labours, and recuperating at Taupo—at which favourito tourist resort the trout, doubtless, nibbled much more readily than the electors on the historical Seventh—he refused to be interviewed ly the ''Press" representatives ; moreover, preserved a silence that, in itself, was significant and pregnant with veiled diplomacy. -As to the alternative, we harbour no particlar desire to see Mr Massey, Prime Minister of this Dominion. True, the enthusiasm displayed by the vast audience, which attended the great demonstration meeting in the Auckland Town Hall, Avas spontaneous, and a glowing tribute to the Opposition members who have come out of the wilderness ; but on sober reflection it must now appeal to the Thinkers among the people as a one-sided farce ! That Mr Massey and th 6 Reform Party's clique are honest and sincere in their united re--solve to adhere strictly to the somewhat Utorjian planks of their political plalform, is an assertion that cannot be refuted. However, it is questionable as to whether they are in a position to face the music and mccc the contingencies that will arise in the course of events. It is an easy task to

assume the role of a critic; but a totally different thing to play the difficult part of a statesman and a wise administrator pro Boifo publico. In short, although IVir Massey can command re*« spect, he is not possessed of the magnetic influence under which the masses of New Zealand have been forced to bow their heads in weak submission ever since Sir Joseph Ward has loomed large in the political arena.