The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1928 THE FATE OF REFORM.

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 513, 16 November 1928, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1928 THE FATE OF REFORM .

FIFTEEN seats in the Parliamentary elections still are doubtful, but whatever changes may be effected finally in these, the combined differences will leave no doubt at all about the plight of the Reform Government. It is “down and out,” the formality of resignation alone remaining to be accomplished. The party must take a recuperative spell in the big camp of the Opposition. This prospect of striving in the political wilderness need not cause members of the Reform Party to shudder in misery oi* hopelessness. The hard experience -there, after sixteen years of administrative power will do the party a great deal of good and, both in the House and in the country, should teach it a valuable lesson. Those who care to look back across political history will see clearly enough with some admiration that it was stern fighting as the Opposition that gave Reform its best strength, developed men of mettle, and made their administration sound and acceptable. In the same process of survey, observers will see, too, that it was due to the lack of a formidable Opposition and to nothing else, that the Government and its party were brought to the prickly hedge on the boundary of the wilderness. Some of the newspaper opponents of the Government, after stabbing it for months, are now shedding crocodile tears over the mutilated body of the victim. There is no cause for genuine grief, far less for hypocritical sympathy. There is only one fountainhead whence a defeated administration in politics may draw rejuvenating strength, and that spring of new vitality is in the apparent desert of Opposition. Surely, there is ample scope for encouragement. Three years ago the Liberals went so near to perishing in the wilderness that they abandoned their old honoured name and burnt their banners in order to attract the attention of the people and win generous sympathy. And here they are to-day, out of the desolate place, with new banners flying, and strong enough to have gained the right to form the next Ministry! It is true that the prospective Ward Ministry will not be able to live on its own strength and may not live very long, if friendly sustenance from a tolerant wing of the Opposition be meagre or capricious, but another Ward Administration at least is certain. ■ The country will be interested to see how the United Government will set out to honour its pledges and promises, provide cheap money, settle thousands of immigrants as well as New Zealanders on the land, reduce taxation, abolish unemployment, and make everybody prosperous, happy and laughing with content. The ardent supporters of the new United Party, instead of wasting tears over Reform, should save up their kind sympathy for Sir Joseph Ward and his jubilant band. They will need much sympathy before they are through their time of testing. There is no doubt anywhere as to what shall happen next, but there is much difference of opinion as to how the interesting changes should be effected. As suggested in this column yesterday, tl}£ better way, in our opinion, would be for the Government to resign without a day’s delay and recommend the Governor-Genei-al to send for Sir Joseph Ward. In the event of the veteran statesman undertaking to form a Ministry, the new Parliament should be summoned to meet for a test session in the last week of January. This does not mean that Mr. Coates should resign to-day or to-morrow. Let the thing be done without peeved haste. Even condemned men are given time for reflection and repentance before they are hanged. But it would be better for the Government to walk oixt gracefully than to be thrown out. The succeeding tenants will have great trouble in setting their house in order and security. WANTED —SOME MINISTERS FEW parties' about to govern have been so deficient in experienced members as the United Party is to-day. Though the party went in to the campaign with a strength of eleven, which the election raised to 26, the eleven old members did not all go back. Three of them retired voluntarily, and two of them, Messrs. Seddon and Smith,Avho have shared a back bench for three sessions, were defeated by Labour men. This leaves the party with only six survivors of the last Parliament. There are three others, Messrs. MacPherson, de la Perrelle, and S. G. Smith, who have had past experience, and among the Independents there are two more, Messrs. Wilkinson and Hogan, as well as Mr. Atmore, a sitting member. Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. Atmore are both Cabinet possibilities. Though an Independent, Mr. Atmore has been in such close association with the United group that he is almost certain of an invitation to assist. While experience is desirable, it is not essential. It is unusual for a man to take the two moves, into Parliament and on to the Ministerial benches, in one stride; but there is no rule to prevent him from doing so. In serving his apprenticeship, he will encounter many problems. The forms of the House alone are sufficiently intricate to be embarrassing. But secretaries and departmental administrators behind the scenes can always keep the machines running smoothly. The analysis leaves Sir Joseph with nine who have Parliamentary experience, and three seasoned Independents, two of whom may hesitate to sacrifice the independent principles on which they were returned. It is not uncommon for Independent members to yield up their independence with only a faint show of reluctance when there is a well-paid post in sight. In the meantime Sir Joseph will have to consider how, if asked to form a Ministry, he can distribute a dozen portfolios. He will, in addition, want two whips, and a chairman of committees, and though he is comparatively unfettered by party ties and promises, he will still have his little problems.