The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1912. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 207, 29 February 1912, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1912. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

The political tug-of-war has ended somewhat unexpectedly in a win for the Government on the casting vote of the Speaker. Nothing so close nor so exciting has happened in the history of Dominion politics for decades. Right up to the final count the issue was in doubt. The fate of the Government turned on the vote of one member, and meant either a win,by two votes for the Opposition, or a tie. The uncertain vote was Mr. Atmore's. Mr. Veitch made it pretty clear that he intended to register his vote against the Government, though afteT the Payne affair no one could have i been surprised if he had followed the lead of Mr. Robertson and Mr. Payne. Mr. Atmore kept his own counsel right till the bell raijg, and then it was that the Opposition's hopes were rudely dashed to the ground. The Opposition went into the House with an absolute majority on a no-confidence motion. For its failure to retain that majority when the crucial time arrived it has no one to blame but itself. We shall no doubt hear a great deal about "underground engineering," "log-rolling," "corrupting influences," and the like in connection with the voting of the doubtful members, but for any volte face on their part no one but Mr. Massey himself is responsible. We have no hesitation in saying that his, singular lapse at what was a critical moment lost ti> his Party the chance it has been striving for for the past twenty-one years, and gave his opponents what will piobably mean a new lease of tenure. He showed by his grave mistake a lack of perception, of generalship, of the strength and bigness required of a leader, of the country; and the reverse of Tuesday night is the first penalty he will have to pay for it. It will probably not be the last. The Government has not anything to grow very enthusiastic about, except ttiat, thanks to the defective tactics of Mr. Massey, it has retrieved itself from what looked like a hopeless and impossible position. Cabinet will now be reconstituted, and it remains to be seen if it can command a working majority. Sir Joseph has announced his intention of retiring from the Premiership. We understand he purposes giving up Cabinet rank altogether, no matter what pressure may be brought to bear on him by his friends to continue in the Ministry, and that he will take his place among the rank and file of his Party. Whether one accepts his political creed or not, it must be conceded that in point of ability there i* not a man in the House to equal Sir Joseph Ward, and, relieved of his Ministerial responsibilities, it is certain he will make his presence very much felt in the

debates of the House. And a sojourn, amongst the rank and file will probably not be without benefit to Sir Joseph himself. He will get into closer touch with members, sec things from a different angle than he has for so long been'accustomed to, see wherein he has failed id the past, and rehabilitate himself in the eyes of those who, though Liberal at heart, have lately voted against him and his Cabinet. We should know very aoon upon whose shoulders Sir Joseph Ward's mantle will fall. The choice appears to be between the Hon. Thomas MacKenzie and Sir Arthur Guinness. In our view the member for Egmont possesses all the essentials for successful leadership, and would command the confidence of the country in a greater degree than any man the Liberals could bring forward. He has not been a great party man, a fact which is raised as an objection but which really should be an advantage. He has shown himself a most capable, administrator, a rare fighter, and a born leader of men. No one knows the real needs of the country —the development of our rural activities, opening up of our back country by roads and bridges and railways, and assisting the email man on the land and the man who wants to get there—more than he, and no. one would be more likely to regain the confidence of the North Island for the Liberal Party. Sir Arthur Guinness has had little opportunity' of showing his metal. As a speaker he is a thorough success, but wo doubt if he has the personality, the' fire and energy to successfully' lead a party of somewhat divergent views. With a change of Cabinet Mr. Veitch will be relieved of his pledge, and probably vote for the Government. This will give the latter a majority of two, which will be increased to three when Mr. Wilford returns. This is not a very large majority to work with, but that it is sufficient is shown by what has lately taken place in New South Wales, where the parties are practically evenly balanced. All the same, the Government will have no easy time of it, and will have to mind its p's and q's; but this may not be a disadvantage so far as the country is concerned. After all, it is the interest* of the country and not the interests of either political party that really matter, and should be the first consideration,' a fact which is frequently lost sight' of in the clangor of party warfare.