The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1915. TAUMARUNUI'S VERDICT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 316, 16 June 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1915. TAUMARUNUI'S VERDICT.

The result of the by-election for Tauniarmuii has made 110 dill'ereiice to the parties, Mr. Jennings being re-elected by practically the same majority as be gained in December. This result was generally expected, notwithstanding the great cfiorts made by the Government to recapture the seat. This contest brings to a close the most prolonged general election New Zealand has ever Witnessed, and wo are sure the public will be glad to see its close. The blame for this extraordinary prolongation must bo laid at the doors of the Government, which would not accept tin- somewhat indecisive vote of the people in December, but endeavored by every means in its power to secure a majority and so enable it to remain in power. In 1013, when the state of the parties was hardly less favorable to the then Government, the Reform party clamored for the resignation of Sir Joseph Ward and for a trial of strength of the parlies on the floor of the Ifouse. The result is recent history. With positions reVersed, however, the present Government did not act on the diciinn it laid down for its opponents. It lias clung tenaciously to office, and fought as 110 party has ever fought before for the retention of office. Of course, the Ministry may have a majority in the new Parliament, but apparently that point, is to be decided by Mr. '1 uu Ilenare, who savs that be is pledged to no party. The circumstances, too, have been rather peculiar, on account of the war. The Government, however, had a unique opportunity of ''making good" with (he Country by simply calling into its counsels in December some of the best brains in the oppo-ite camp, and forming a national Ministry during the period of the war. Had this done, all the strife and l,itlerm-« that have characterised the three by-elections would not have occurred, and. (lie country would have settled down (o deal with the mauv problems occasioned by the war. The situation has been an intolerable one, when people's minds were, and are still, Ro till! ol more serious and more vital matters. To our mind, the political leaders have heleued villi an utter disregard. for the f'-elui'/s of the peoph l . Their behaviour has amounted almost to indecency and callousness. On every occasion they have out party before country. They have shown no disposition to set the country an example in

self-abnegation, to rise to the higher things tho situation demands from our leaders. The country is sick unto death of the eternal wrangling and jealousies, and is crying for political peace and enlightened and prudent leadership and statesmanship. It wants no partisen legislation. It only desires a rest from the sordid bickerings that form so large a part of tho proceedings in Parliament. With the parties "virtually even, government will only bo possible by a mutual understanding, and the best thing that could happen would be for the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward to have a heart-to-heart talk (if that is possible among warring politicians), and come to a working arrangement for the lift: of the present Parliament. As for Taumarunui's decision, it is only what was to bo expected. Mr. Jennings was put out by no malpractice on his part, but by a legal technicality that no fairminded man would havo regarded as a full and sufficient reason for disqualification, and in congratulating Mr. Jennings upon this rem ■ <1 expression of eonlidenco we feel that ho will work, as he has always worked, in the interests of his country in general and of his constituency in particular. It has been a btrenuous, and, as far as we are awavo, a clean fight, and the best advice vre can givo electors now is to bury tiia hatchet and unite in helping their representative to carry out successfully his onerous and difficult duties.