THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 149, 20 December 1911, Page 4

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Just how the "political cat is going to jump in the immediate future few people can say with any degree of certainty. The Premier says he- is waiting for tlie results of the Maori elections to be known before arriving at a decision, but declares he will abide by the decision of the people and do the right thing. The Maori elections took place yesterday, and we ought to know the results shortly, but whatever they are we sincerely hope Sir Joseph Ward will not assume office again if he cannot vepend upon a working majority without the assistance of the volatile and unreliable Maori gentlemen. Their votes, of course, are as valuable as those of their white brethren, but no Government, in our view, should hold oflice without it can rely on a working majority of representatives of the dominant race. The results of the election show that there is a desire for a change of administration, and to that feeling Sir Joseph should submit. Whatever may be said as to the peculiar public attitudo shown in the North Island of favoring an alliance of Tory and Laborite, the public is entitled to whatever brand of politics it desires and asks for. Obviously the . simplest and best way is for the Government to resign and permit Mr. Massey to form a Government. As a southern Ministerial contemporary says: "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 mca.sures rather than men. . . . The plain truth is that the revolt of the Labor Party has given the Conservatives another opportunity, and they have seized it with an avidity that' cannot be denied or for the moment resisted." Tn face of this position it would be highly dangerous for the Liberal Partv to"fly. It is in the minority at present,' and the position should be accepted frankly and cheerfully. An enforced retirement in the wilderness miiy not be without sulvantago to the Liberal Partv. It should teach it a lesson or two it has so far failed to take to heart, and have a regenerating—and. let us hope roinvigorating—effect on the party generally."