The Opposition.

Manawatu Herald, 9 October 1902, Page 3

The Opposition.

There is no paper that has done its best at all times for the Opposition Party as the Hawkes Bay Herald, but in last Tuesday’s issue it acknowledges the Party to be dead and gone. Wiiting on the political prospect it says We are glad to note that Sir W. R. Russell does not anticipate any considerable change in the constitution of parties. When we say we are glad we mean that we are glad that the Opposition entertains no delusions bn the subject- For it teems to us SropMslWe

*o believe that there is any sign of a revulsion of popular feeling. This is to be regretted from many points of view, but it is a fact td be reckoned with. We do not believe that the old Opposition will ever revive. It is dead, attd it died because it did not stand for any idea. Sir W. R. Russell says that it has been supplying policies to the Government for the last half dozen years. If it had kept a little for itself it might now be enjoying the fruits of office. A party without a policy is like a church without a creed. It might as well own itself beaten at once. We believe that before long a new line of party division will arise. We believe that in the future the two chief parties will be the Labor party and the farmers’ party. And at present we are quite prepared to admit that neither party is ready for the fray. In the meantime we cannot but regret that Sir W. R- Russell should maintain his view that the Farmers’ Union should keep clear of politics. Unless we are mistaken it will be impossible for it 16 do so.