The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1915. AN UNEDIFYING SPECTACLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 307, 5 June 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1915. AN UNEDIFYING SPECTACLE.

In the early days of the war, when the problems to lie faced by the Dominion Government were, under discussion in the House of Representatives, the Ministers worked themselves up into such a state of bewilderment that they bad to admit they did not know what to do for the best. Apparently, the same chaotic state of mind still exists. They had been for such a long period associated with a policy of destructive criticism white in Opposition that the constructive powers any of them possessed bad become atrophied for want of use. An effort was made by the Opposition to postpone the elections, and permit the Government to continue in office. This course was not agreeable to the Ministry. The elections were held, and strife occurred that we have never been free of since. There has been a continual washing of dirty political linen, which has resulted in one election, whilst another two are about to be held. The leaders of both factions are on the -warpath, measuring swords with one another and creating as much political discord as they are capable of, whilst members of the Cabinet are backing and filling, promising all sorts of things in their anxiety to secure favorable polls. This, at a time when we are confronted with the greatest peril that has ever beset us—that threatens the very roots of our liberty and the foundations of our Empire! ■J he people of New Zealand as a whole have nobly risen to the occasion. They have been stirred to the greatest depths by a patriotism that has but one end and aim. They have given liberally and ungrudgingly, both of their means and of their young manhood, for the defence of the Empire and the crushing of the foe of peace and liberty. Tint the war expenditure is so vast, and will entail such a heavy drain on the resources of every citizen of the Empire, that it is imperative the burden shall be sliared by all in a ratio proportionate to their means. Nothing but an equitable war tax will meet tue special circumstances. What, then, is the attitude of our Government on the question? One day the Minister of Defence dwells on the necessity for the tax. Then tile Prime Minister, in his light and airy style, dismisses the subject, with a wave of the hand, accompanied bv an assurance that, the finances of the Dominion are so buoyant- that no war tax is required! This in due course is followed bv a (••■unler-slaleinent that there must |be a taw but it must be n just and

equitable impost. Once, a,train, comes a ministerial statement that no tax is necessary, and so the {fame of battledore and shuttle-cock proceeds, the solitary gleam of daylight in the whole

sorry discord being that nothing will l)c done till Parliament meets. Why? ( When Parliament meets it will.ho seen l r whether it is Codlin or Short that is . to rule. Hence the evil effect of party t polities, especially when the weight ii I so evenly balanced on both sides of ' the political beam. Is it a coincidence, , this unedifying spectacle of Ministers , making contradictory statements as to i the war tax, or ia it a sign of the times 1 that the conflicting opinions synchronise ' with the holding of by-erections at Dun- , cdin, Bay of Islands and Taumarunui, 1 and the overpowering dosire of the Government to secure a majority by all ' and every moans in its power? Let the unbiassed electors answer this question fairly and squarely, and the reply will assuredly lie a scathing denunciation of the party system. It is almost unthinkable that at the greatest crisis in the Empire's history, and at a time when the situation at the seat of war is of such momentous rrravity that we cannot tell what a <V." may bring forth, the politicians of ?;c,v Zealand should . thrust on the unwilling attention of the ■people the most objectionable phase of party government. The minds of our citizens are tense with the issue of the struggle in Europe, and with the sufferings and the loss of their kith and kin at the Dardanelles and elsewhere. We can, and do, applaud tlie wisdom and example of the Motherland in facing the ordeal with a National Cabinet, and so imbuing that assurance and confidence so necessary for the people in the hour of supreme stress. Yet to New Zealand is left the pitiful task of showing the world that "party" takes precedence over patriotism, and that at the crucial moment of the Empire's existence Ministers and leading members of the Opposition are metaphorically tearing at each other's I throats. It is an unedifying spectacle. The people should make it plain to the political leaders that it is high time they sank their political differences—during, at any rate, the currency of the war—and united to ensure the Dominion putting every ounce into tlie scale for securing victory for our Empire and our Allies.