The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, June 3. 1915 THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S EXAMPLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1406, 3 June 1915, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, June 3. 1915 THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S EXAMPLE.

It has been said that the British Government has set us an example that ought to be followed in this country, and that, as a coalition has been formed there, one could and should be arranged here. But the circumstances of the two countries are so dissimilar and the relationships existing between the parties at Home and those in New Zealand are so widely different that no true analogy can be found between the two cases. There is absolutely nothing of the “ sweet spirit of reasonableness” apparent in the attitude of members of the Opposition, so far as the Government here is concerned, and latterly it has become very apparent that, from its leader downwards, the one idea is to wreck the Goverment, no matter at what cost to the country. There are a few reasonably minded men on the Opposition Benches but the ferocious attitude adopted by the Party press towards those of their number who have shown any disposition to sink party differences and work in with the Government, does not favour the supposition that there can be any lasting alliance between the two parties. If Sir Joseph Ward had more of the spirit and temperament of his late lamented leader, Mr Seddon, the gap might be bridged. But the Opposition press makes it freely apparent that the Parly will not be content until it obtains the supreme authority and drive the present Government off the Treasury Benches. And that, for a Party which does not command half the votes in the elected House, and which openly boasts that is is depending upon the Government majority being reduced by the appointment of a Government supporter as the Speaker, is just a little too much. The probabilities are that, should the two elections now pending go against the Government, there will be another appeal to the constituencies before the year is out. It is all very well for the man in the street to say; “Gentlemen, heal your differences,” but when

one side adopts an Irreconcilable attitude, and practically demands all or nothing, the case can only be regarded as hopeless.