THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 105, 11 January 1912, Page 5

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

PREMIER'S MANIFESTO. NEWSPAPER COMMENTS. Auckland, Wednesday. t Discussing the Prime Minister's mani- | festo, the Star says:—"We believe that >', the course which Sir Joseph Ward has - now adopted, in asking the Governor t* convoke Parliament at an early date, will meet with the approval of all sec- : > tions and political parties throughout' l ''"; the Dominion. Between the Labor pro- , gramme and the Libera) poliey there is a difference, but it is one of degree and* not of character. Between Labor and Masseyism, on the other hand, the dif- : ference is inherent and essential. It may "'. be premature to suggest—as one,.of, the- ''" leading Conservative papers in Australia, ' discussing the New Zealand elections, has already suggested—that 'the old Liberal-Labor alliance, under which the workers have gained many concessions and advantages, will be eventually revived,' for 1 , the- Labor party is not yet a distinct political factor hew- as it'is in A Australia, nor is there yet any clear line of cleavage between Labor and Liberalism. Bilt this much is certain: That if, or when, Mr. Massey takes office, he will find arrayed against him the whole of that section of the people which takes as its test of legislation the interest of the democracy, and no true Liberal need be apprehensive about the result of such'a struggle." . - The Herald eays:—"Wc have never doubted that Sir Joseph Ward would act in defeat with a dignity worthy of bid office and compatible with the "part he " »' has taken in Imperial councils. No ' . statesman of repute and standing who found that a general election had shat- T tered his party, and placed in a minority those pledged to support him,' eonld " cling to place in defiance of constitutional practice and clearly-defined pub- '• lie opinion. To,the Leader of the Qp- ' position every day is momentous, not ■ because he is an unseemly take office; but thft Administration upon *vvotc •' of yant' will b« 4. very great amount of work to be don* ...-. by a new Administration.'if ifc-i? / 'to '"'' , meet Parliament in Jiine with a. defimtp policy arid an adequate prolamine. That Sir Joseph Ward will be defeated very speedUy after thjoflonse is only questioned by those "politicians who" '" would have clung to office in "defiance of'" public opinion until the latest moment they could contrive. (ifassey ' has formed his Administration/and has presented his proposals to a Parliament.- we do not hesitate jto saythat they will be foundVppmmendable by every section of the community} which desires equity and progress." Dunedin, Wednesday. The Evening Star savs: /'Having regard to "$« rather diff!ou}t'\Wrcumstancesv it cannot reasonably be contended that Sir Joseph Ward lias waited too, long in coming to a decision, ta summon 1 Parliament to meet in tho middle of February. Even now. he confidently bethat hj? will be able to command a majority, small though it way be, in the House of Representative, and we entertain a shrewd idea tfcpt his con- ' fidenoe will be iustified; l»!'l-.\be this as it mav, he will gain, and not 'lose, in Parliament as well as in the country by - facing the position boldly." DR.;" POMARE:'' c .'\ To the Editor . ** ' " *'v Sir,—ln your issue of. thJMßornJng I notico a paragraph referring to meeting called 2» at Waafcfc ■- ' re Dr. Pomare's posi'tioifas a represent*- . tive for the Maori race. I am tmrprised • at such steps being taken. 1 ean assure you and your many readers that IJr. Pomare is a half-caste without a doubt. His mother was a half-cMe. and his father was also a half-cait*." Hail his mother wedded a European he would then have been quarter Maori and threequarters European. But M not the case. That being the position, his eleciaon cannot be upset through inch mis- ' representa'tion,,,Suffice!— l Mr<vHc.. ■S.H.W. . Wailarn. Jan. 10, 1912. n '