ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 148, 19 December 1911, Page 7

ELECTIONS.

PRESS OPINIONS. VIEWS OF THE LEADING JOURNALS. AUCKLAND STAR (Ministerial). The Star says:—"lt is by no means easy to estimate the strength of the various parties exactly, but taking an impartial view of the position we are driven to the conclusion that Liberals and Masseyitcs are evenly balanced, and that Labor holds the easting vote. Including the Maori members, Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Massey could probably depend upon thirty-eight votes each in a full House, and the four Labor votes would thus mean defeat or victory for either. Possibly the Labor votes would be split, which, of course, further complicates the situation; but the one fact that emerges clearly from this confusing mass of figures is that neither Mr. Massey nor Sir Joseph Ward can command a reasonable working majority in Parliament. We incline to the view, expressed by more than one of the southern Liberal organs, that Sir Joseph Ward cannot, with any dignity, or with permanent advantage to his party, continue to hold office under the existing conditions. There is nothing to be gained by attempting to carry on the arduous work of administration and legislation without being sure of support. Whatever we may think of Mr. Massey's politics •or his controversial methods, we agree that for the moment he hits behind him a more compact and I dependable body of followers than the ; party led by Sir Joseph Ward. To y - j sist in holding office without some d<j ite prospect of controlling the count | policywouidbe only to court defeat a/.! j humiliation,, ami we believe that the Lib- , erals have much to gain and nothing to , lose by throwing the responsibility on ■ the shoulders of Mr. Massey, for Mr. ; Massey can no more command a working majority in the House as now con- , stituted than Sir Joseph Ward; and when Mr. Massey in turn has been driven , speedily to admit the impracticability , of carrying on the administration of the country with a Parliament as now constituted, the time will have come for another appeal to the people, for an intelligible mandate on clearly-defined political issues."

AUCKLAND HERALD (Opposition). The Herald says:—"That the elections of 1911 have closed with a decisive, although narrow, reform victor}', will only be disputed by argumentative partisans. When all allowance is made for doubtful members and uncertain affiliations, it is indubitable that a distinct majority in the newly-elected Parliament have pledged themselves to support a vote of no-confidence in the Ward administration. Thirty-seven members of the Reform Party have been returned, and' in the event of a no-confidence motion Mr. Massey can rely on the support of the Independent Opposition member for Nelson (Mr. Atrnore), and three Labor representatives, Messrs Veitch (Wangamii), Robertson (Otaki) and Payne (Grey Lynn). It is possible, of course, that Sir .loseph Ward may refuse to take this view, and may hold office until that vote of no-confidence is actually given in an assembled Parliament, in which event an interesting situaiton will arise, and one which should be fruitful of noteworthy incidents; but no delay can affect the actual situation, which is that the end of the continuous Government is in sight, and that the 'taihoa' policy is doomed with it. But although the Ward administration is doomed, and f I'.nrifj'clUd by the people of New Zealand, we may anticipate a tempestuous political period owing to the close comparative strength of the parties. Another election in 1012 is not improbable, and if, as is quite possible, a working majority should not be found for great measures of practical reform, which the whole country, south as well as north, must approve, then an appeal to the country would certainly give to a vigorous and progressive administration increased support and renewed confidence. and we may be sure that a Massey administration would deal swiftly and meritorouslv with certain notorious departmental problems, particularly rail : way management, land settlement, backblocks roads, necessary railways, and actional finance."

LYTTELTOX TIMES (Government). The Lyttelton Times says: —"The three Independent members, including Mr. Isitt, are all progressive Liberals, and ,l the four Labor members three have expressed sympathy with the Government rather than with the Opposition. The three Maori members, who remain to be elected, will doubtless be found sitting on the Government side of the House. It appears likely, therefore, that the Government would have to depend upon a nominal majority of four—the four Maori members, in fact—and we fail to think that Sir Joseph Ward will elect to retain oflice with sucli a narrow margin of uncertain support. We should not care to do so ourselves if we were in his position. We should prefer to allow Mr. Masscy to meet the new House, which cannot endure for more than a session, and to get to the country again as speedily as possible with the clear-cut issues that should now divide the two parties. It would be simply a waste of time and of temper and prestige to attempt to pass progressive legislation with a majority which might fade away at any critical moment. Except in actual numbers and in Parliamentary experience and ability, the Opposition holds the stronger position in the House, whatever may be its position in the country. The members are a compact body of voters who will not be diverted from their allegiance to the leader of the party in the hour of triumph. They were not elected to harbor any high ideals of independence. The Government Party, on the contrary, contains several gentlemen who might find it convenient to give a very emphatic expression to their preference for measures rather than men.

"When returning thanks to the electors Mr. Russell, for instance, laid stress on the fact that, having received support from the Conservatives as well as from the Liberals, he would feel it his duty to assist in passing legislation for the good of the country from whichever side of the House it might come. Probably there are other members of the party who will feel, during the strenuous days that are before us, that they should be allowed the same latitude. The plain truth is that the revolt of the Labor Party has given the Conservatives the opportunity, and they have seized it with an avidity that cannot be denied or for the moment resisted. The progressive parties can recover their old dominant, position as soon, as they care to bury their differences and put their house in order, and in the meantime there is no need for recrimination or despondency." DUXEUTX STAR (Government). The Dunedin Star admits that there lias been a temporary set-back to the Liberal cause, mainly owing to unusual conditions and the attitude of Labor in the North Island, "but it would be a. huge mistake to suppose the result of the poll indicates a definite desire on the part, of the people to revert to a Conservative policy, which was cast aside twenty-ono years ago. The numbers do not justify the demand that Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues should resign, but, on the whole, and in the circumstances, seem to point to the inadvisa-

bility of calling Parliament together in January."

( CHRISTCHURCII PRESS (Opposition). The Press says:—"Throughout the length and" breadth of the country we believe there will be rejoicing this morning over the fact that the Government irnave been defeated and Wardism is at an end. Seventy-seven members (including ome Maori member, Mr. Xgata, elected unopposed) have been returned, and the Government have m'anaged to secure only 32 supporters, while there are 38 members pledged to support Mr. Masscy. Of four Labor members, two, at any rate} have given an undertaking to vote against the Government on a want-of-eonfidcnce motion. In addition there are three members who declared themselves as Independents. There are 7li European members in the House, and out of these 41) are pledged to vote against the Government on a want-of-confidence motion. There is, of course, the disturbing factor to be faced that three Maori members have still to be elected, and it remains to be seen how the Independent members will- range themselves. The feeling against the Government, however, is so strong and so clearly expressed that we believe Mr. Massey will not have much difficulty in forming a Ministry which will be able to hold ita own."