The Sun. 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND THURSDAY', NOVEMBER 29, 1928 LOYALTY IN DEFEAT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 524, 29 November 1928, Page 8

The Sun. 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND THURSDAY', NOVEMBER 29, 1928 LOYALTY IN DEFEAT

ONE of tlie pleasantest features in the political hubbub over the severe defeat of the Reform Government at the recent Parliamentary polls is contained in the official report from Wellington that the party caucus yesterday affirmed its continued confidence in the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, as leader. The resolution went farther than a complimentary formality; the party resolved with determination to stand loyally with him in whatever course the exigencies of the present political situation might render necessary in the interests of the whole country. There is no reason at all for any suspicion that the party’s resolution was merely an expression of chivalrous sentiment ’toward a leader whose fighting forces had been brought down in a surprising defeat which involved the surrender of a great political fortress. Even in the fiercest days of the campaign, when observers as well as combatants, were prone to violent attack upon the defenders of the Reform garrison, no one really believed in his heart that the weaknesses which brought about its downfall were due to the general in command. If the retiring Prime Minister could or should be blamed for any outstanding default in leadership, it would have to be the blame associated with the practice-—a much too generous practice, indeed—of excessive loyalty to his Ministerial staff and the veterans of the old brigade. In sentiment that indubitably is a good fault, but in active statesmanship it can be a serious weakness. There are occasions and circumstances when it becomes imperatively necessary for a political leader to be ruthless against stodge and incompetency. It was left to the electors to eliminate that defect and they did it with a violence which subsequently has depressed many of them with rueful amazement at the havoc they wrought. If Mr. Coates and the remnant of his brigade look at things steadily and look at them as a whole, they will see clearly that there is no compelling reason why they should “sit by the rivers of Babylon and weep.” No statesman is worth his salt unless and until he has experienced the rigour of the political game in opposition. Defeat may be made the right road, though a rough one. to greater’ triumph. After all, Mr. Coates went over the top in Flanders and knows quite well that hardships and hard knocks must be borne in stern warfare without whimpering. Thus there is no call whatever for saponaceous talk about the Prime Minister being cheerful in adversity. In these days when the eldest statesmen come back to achievement with new banners flying, Mr. Coates may smile with content at the prospect before him for opportunity to serve his nation with energy and distinction. God willing, he still has twenty years of vigorous and good work ahead of him. Ifow that the Leader of the Reform Party has been assured of staunch loyalty, it is to be hoped that he will give attention to the wisdom of attracting sturdier and more promising recruits to his colours, which have not been changed. There is no place in politics to-day for old conservatism, plodding’ forward with the stiffness of age. Time will bring again the need of Reform administration. A chastened and disciplined party should realise that the wheel of fortune in politics keeps turning. Since prophets are never easily daunted, it is now predicted with confidence that the prospective Ward Ministry will be able to run the full course of a normal Parliamentary term. How that may be done without danger and alarms has not yet been demonstrated. It will not be accomplished unless one or other of the two fairly strong parties on .the Opposition benches, or both in turn but never together, agrees to maintain a minority Government in power rather than run the risk of disturbing an unsettled electoral avalanche. The scope for clever opposition will be as wide as that, for the exercise of Government adroitness in securing from the watchful camp of a divided enemy an ally for its best acts. The new House of Representatives may yet deserve a new title—- “ Hangman’s House.”