The Daily News. SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1912. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 77, 17 August 1912, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1912. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Mr. Massey's Government luiving inherited the ha'-pence attaching to office, are now receiving their legitimate share of the kicks of opposition. So far they 'have shown no disposition to 'bout face and run, although they have not neglected to give their opponents plenty of opportunity for criticism. As Mr. Wilford pointed out in the course of the financial debate on Thursday, they have committed at least half-a-dozen, blunders since assuming office. But none of these have been very egregious, and it is only right to assume that after languishing for two decades in the cool shades of opposition they should on emerging into the strong light of publicity fail at first sight to '•'see with clear eyes the perfect truth:" When the villain of melodrama is suddenly called upon to enact the role of hero it is not to be wondered at- that he cannot slough his old skin at a moment's notice, and several members of the Ministry have not yet lost their old habit of aggressiveness. If the Government have displayed a fault so far it has been their undue tendency to over-eonfid-en.ee. and although this particular prids does not at the moment seem to presage a fall, it is evident that quite a number of the Keform Party appear to have forgotten that the accepted political tactics of the Government should be creative and defensive, rather than destructive and offensive. Also, Mr. Ma3sey a pears to be suffering from a bad attack of "friends."' a complaint that i-v only natural in view of his success after so many years of enthusiastic toil in opposition. How many times'this friendly gratification has been embarrassing it is luird to say. but he has certainly suffered a good deal of left-handed compliment in connection with his appointment j of the Hon. T. Mackenzie as High Commissioner. The High Commissionership should not be a political appointment, I for the office ought to be disassociated ! from all political partisanship. Tt should be conferred upon the best available man in the country, whether he be a Liberal or a Conservative or a Zulu or one of twins' or a he-washerwoman. It is to his credit that Mr. Massey has recognised, this and hasappointed a man who is admit ted on all sides to be the right man in the right place, and especially equipped for Hie work he is called upon to perform. The Leader of the Government has simply done his duty, and he must be inwardly resenting the bouquets that are being thrown at him for his alleged magnanimity. He will be the first to admit that his action has not been in any sense magnanimous, but has been simply prompted by a proper realisation of the requirements of the position. As a matter of fact, the manner in which

Ills friends are "swellin' themselves wisibly" and pitting him publicly on the back narrowly escapes being insulting, for the obvious inference is that they expected him. to neglect his duty and start on an early distribution of the spoils to the victors. We frankly admit that 'the Government has made a far better start than wo had anticipated, and if its performances in any way approach its professions it should secure for itself quite, a respectable tenure of office. It is early (bays for an unqualified approbation, but as both sections of the Press and the public promised it a fair.trial, it is only right to reserve judgment until the new party has found its leg 3 and has shown what its administrative capacity really amounts to. We are not at all agreed with those-persons and papers who are taunting the Government with postponing a portion of its more important legislation until next session. Its newness'to office naturally induces it to matte haste slowly, and it is only fair to give it an. opportunity to learn to walk in its new harness before it attempts to run.