COALITION ENDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2019, 23 August 1919, Page 2

COALITION ENDS.

SIR JOSEPH WARD RESIGNS,

OTHER LIBERAL MEMBERS

FOLLOW,

REFORM RECONSTRUCTION,

The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Leader of the Liberal Party, on Thursday tendered to His Excellency the Governor-General his resignation as a member of the Executive Council and as Minister for Finance, Postmaster-General, and Minister for Telegraphs in the National Government.

Sir Joseph afterwards made an important statement in reference to the political position, and outlined his policy for the future. He-had come to the conclusion, he said, that now the Peace Treaty was signed, and the object for which the National Government was formed had been achieved, the truce between the two principal parties in Ncav Zealand was no longer necessary, and he could not now remain, in a Government that had been formed for war purposes only. He had, after much thought and with the full concurrence of his Liberal colleagues in the Cabinet, come to the decision that the continuance of,an administration, having naturally no real cohesion on any fixed principle save the winning of The Avar, avus not in the best interests of the country. In retiring, he had a duty to discharge to the people of Ncav Zea-, land in his position as Leader of the Liberal Party.

“It is necessary for me to say at the outset that I was unanimously re-elected by the Liberal Party as its Leader in 19.13, and my position has since been three times confirmed by my Party. After the General Election of 191-1 parties were so close numerically that neither of them was strong enough to carry on the government of the country satisfactorily during a war period. “The Liberal Party, from a political point of view, had everything to gain by remaining out of a National Government, but, after full consideration, although there were differences of opinion at the time, the Parly finally agree'd unanimously to sink party and help to form a National Government with an equal number of Ministers, representing each side of politics in the Cabinet and with the leader* of (he two Parlies retaining their .positions as leaders in the Cabinet. .

The great majority-ol: the public and the press throughout the country were favourable to and strongly supported the formation of a National Government, and I amPffiy colleagues have, in spite of many difficulties, Ween loyalfo the Party truce throughout.. I have abstained, both here and abroad, from taking any part in Party politics, either by organisation, -public speeches, interviews, or otherwise. “Peace has been signed, and flic arrangement made between the two Parties for the war -period must now lie brought: to a conclusion, and it is only fair to those to whom 1 am responsible that I should relieve them by my resignation from a position that, 1 feel it is, in Hie best interests of the /country, desirable to terminate.

“In retiring, I think I should apprise the people of my views on important questions. The war has changed the whole world, and the statesmen of to-day must recognise the new age. What was good enough for yesterday will not do for to-day or to-morrow. We are in a transition period, and good government with strong administration is vital to the country’s welfare. KVw Zealand must be ruled constitutionally. The worker has just rights and undoubted claims to consideration, but he must not nullify these by demands which it: is impossible to meet, nor must he forget his duty as a citizen of a great country. By recognising constituted authority he can assist the State, which lias already done much for him, to bring about those improved conditions that alone can keep the country safe and prosperous. As a citizen he has duties as well as rights, and he must not exaggerate his rights by ignoring his duties. “The capitalist, too, must take heed. A great duty devolves upon him. He has a right, to reasonable protection, but the changes that have been brought about by the world upheaval make it imperative in his own interests, as well as in the interests of the workers-and the State itself, that lie should view the altered circumstances from a broad and proper standpoint, and make such concessions and sacrifices as the new era demands.

Briefly put, .neither Capital nor Labour can hope to succeed without a mutual recognition, and it is the bounden duty of both to take a fair and reasonable view of the reciprocal needs and responsibilities of each and of the State as the final arbiter.”

Sir Joseph Ward then proceeded to outline his policy, the main points of which ardT—

Conversion of the Bank of New Zealand into a State Bank,

A sane policy of local borrowing at per cent., subject to ordinary taxation.

Nationalisation of the whole of the coal mines of New Zealand, with a number of State-owned colliers. Readjustment of the scheme of taxation, in the interests of smaller

incomes. All Governmant ventures to be taxed. Separate Sinking Fund for the repayment of existing loans in 65 years. Postal and commercial aerial service. x The expenditure of £3,000,000

upon repairs to and erection of school buildings, and really free education from primary school to :.f university. ' . ,'<!j Land Settlement. —More ent provision against and. appointment of local boards to ,a expedite soldiers’ settlement; also, that £1,000,000 per annum be pro- : vided for civilian land settlement. . Increased State advances to sw diers, settlers, and workers. Expediting settlement on Native lands. Additional duties against imports from countries not members of the League of Nations. Preferential trade within the British Empire to all parts that re- 1 ciprocate. Prevention of enemy aliens trading in New Zealand by holding shares in a New Zealand company or in a company doing business in New , Zealand. Establishment of a live Department of Industries. N State control by license of all freezing works. • Purchase by the State of all working flourmills. r ‘ Encouragement of oil-boring efforts; the Board of Trade to fix the price of imported oils. No general nationalisation. Labour should receive greater . share of profits of industry, thus stimulating output. T Railways.—£4,ooo,ooo to be spent on the speeding up of construction works. r Expenditure 6f £4,000,000 on road A construction. Nationalisation of ferry services. £0,000,000 to be expended on development of hydro-electric power. Proportional representation 'Astern at Parliamentary elections. Women entitled to stand for Parliament.

Rigid control of profiteering. Reduction of steamer freights. Co-operation of sane Labour in the Government of the Dominion.

Permanent employment for waterside workers.

More generous provision for workers’ compensation. £4,000,000 to lie provided for the • erection of workers’ homes, Speed- . al provision for maimed soldiers, and better provision for widows and orphans. LIBERAL MINISTERS. The Liberal Ministers in the National Cabinet will resign within a few days. Some of them have work in hand which they wish to complete before surrendering their portfolios. MR. MASSEY’S POSITION. - t ABLE TO CARRY ON. In a statement-on Thursday, the ' ! Prime Minister said he was not surprised, but be thought mure notice should have been given of the dissolution, or it should have been until the session ended. He was strongly against a return to the old order of parly polities. His party bad definite and practical progressive proposals to put before the country. Mr Massey was quite confident of bis ability to carry on the Government. )►■

’ THE STATE OF PARTIES. Following the General Election of 1914 the state of parties was■ Reform 41 Liberal 33 Labour ~... 0 The Reform Party had then a majority of two over the Liberal and . Labour sections. With Sir Frederick Lang in the Speaker’s Chair it was a majority of one; and with Mr Malcolm as Chairman of Committees the Chairman would have to exercise his vote to give Reform a majority over the other two parties voting solidly. Since the General Election there have been nine by-elections, as follow Taranaki. —S. G. Smith (Progressive Democrat), succeeded 11. J. Gkey (R.). Southern Maori. — J. H. W. Urn (Ind.), succeeded C. Parata (L.). Grey.—H. E. Holland (Lab.),, succeeded P, C. Webb (Lab.). .Wellington South. —R. Semple (Lab.), succeeded A. H. Himlmarsh (Lab.). Wellington Central. —P. Fraspr (Lab.), succeeded R. Fletcher. Wellington North. —J. P. Luke t (R.), succeeded A. L. Herdman (R.). Palmerston North. —J. A. Rash (R.), succeeded D. Buiek (R.), Hawkes Bay. —Sir J, Findlay (L.), succeeded Dr, M’Nab (L.). Pahiatua. —G. H. Smith (K.), succeeded J, Escolt (R.).

Tlie.net result of these elections is that Reform has lost one seat, Taranaki, to Mr S. G. Smith, who received the Labour vote, but hat) been repudiated by the extreme section.

. The Liberals have lost Wellington Central to Labour, and the Southern , Maori seat is indefinitely held by Mr Uru, who opposed the National Government candidate, but gave u qualified support to the National Government during the war. How he would vote in the event of a Party division is uncertain, but classing -him as Liberal, the State of Parties now is;— Reform 40 Liberal 32 Labour 8 It will be seen, therefore, that in the present,definition of parties the Reform position is precarious with Sir Frederick Lang in the chair oa -Speaker. At ' the same time, ritf other party can show a stronger front. There may be changes over when the session commences or before that time, but otherwise it is difficult to see how the House can do anything more than pass absolutely essential' business.' ■■ ■' ’'' ;■ y'dl