The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1915. THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 38, 14 October 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1915. THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

TJig session of Parliament just ended will be'memorable in Dominion history us the first hold in New Zealand under a National Government, when—theoretically at least—“none were for a Party and all were for the State.” The National Government came into existence in a time of national emer-

gency unprecedented in the annals of our Empire, though its birth was by no means easy, and at one time it certainly appeared that personal and Party feeling would have prevented a step being taken which the country greatly desired. After sixteen weeks the session ends. The first month having been occupied in the negotiaj turn's and discussions out of which the National Ministry emerged, the House then settled down to business, and except for those occasional lapses into mere talk which the Party politician of to-day finds so hard to keep away from, matters have run fairly smoothly to the end. Naturally such tremen- 1 dously important questions as (he military policy to be followed and the war taxation to be imposed, have occupied much attention and been closely followed by the country. If there is one fault to be found with the proposals it is that the Government failed to put an export tax on everything that leaves the Dominion, 'lbis would certainly have reached the pockets of those who will benefit by the inflation of prices due to the war, and might be more simple in working than a farmer’s income tax. But we do not expect perfection in any Ministry, and in all the circumstances the present Cabinet has done well. We are inclined to agree with the Wellington Post’s summary of the. situation that “some of the incidents towards the end have brought caustic criticism on Parliament as a whole, hut much of the censure, has been unjust. The commentators have expected the word ‘national’ to work miracles in Parliament, and in their disappointment at the making of some mistakes and at some omissions they have been disposed to blame comprehensively, regardless of the principle of common fair- J ness by which praise is due for good ; achievement. . . . With all the ; faults mi which pitiless critics have i burped, the National Government is > immeasurably preferable to a eonten- J tious party system during this crisis ( of the Empire, and we are confident > that the people’s gratitude for the new - regime will lie increased during the 1 recess.” f i i