THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1918, Page 4

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Soma of our contemporaries are talking a Jot of nonsense in connection with the result of the Taranaki by-election. W r e have the Wellington Dominion, for instance, exclaiming, in a shrill voice, that "the political truce does not exist so far as the Taranaki electorate is concerned,'' whilst the Wellington Post, equally vehement, remarks that "the Taranaki Liberals have treated tlhe party compact as a German scrap of paper, and they have treated it after the orthodox German fashion, by tearing it up without asking the leave of the other side." This, by the way, from newspapers published iq Wellington where only the previous week it set sudlu a splendid example of loyalty to the comajjt by according the National Government candidate (Mr Hildreth) the magnificent total vote of 754 out of a total poll of 47'19 and electing to a position previously strongly held by a Liberal, a man with the most extreme socialist and anti-war views! They could with a better show of reason have bestowed -some of their wrath upon their own wayward flock. Had they given tille matter a little thought they must have seen that the Government's defeat in Taranaki was brought about by other causes than th'o "disloyalty" 'of the Liberals, The seat for years had been regarded as a safe one for the Reform Party, the late Mr Okey's majority increasing with each election until 'in 1914 it stood at 1134. Supposing it were true (whidli it is not) that the Liberals as a party voted for Mr Smith, that fact would not account for the majority of 1134 being turned into a deficit of 100. Manifestly a great many of the supporters of the Reform Party must have transferred their votes to the opponent of the National Government, and an investigation of the country votes proves this to be the case. The fault—if it can be so described —lay, therefore, not with the Liberals, but with the Reformers. However, wc are inclined to think that by the end of the war, or when the Government meet 3 the country, the words "Liberal" and "Reform" will be but, memories of a fatuous political past. New lines are already being drawn and new political names will have to be found to designate the new parties. The real reason of the Government's defeat last week is quite clear. It may be unpalatable to many but it is, nevertheless, true that the country is growing tired of the Government, and would welcome a return to the party system, which has the merit of keeping a Government up to the mark and ensuring an alternative Government ;in case of the others failure. The present Government lias had many unpleasant tJhings to do, such as mobilising the manhood of the country, increasing taxation and generally interfering with the liberty of the subject, and it is perhaps too much to expect it to be popular with the masses, especially as they are now feeling so acutely the pinch of the war in many directions. In tlie important matters the Government lias succeeded, but it cannot be denied the Government could have done very much better in many other respects. With this fresh evidence of the people's failing confidence, it is to be hoped the Government will, besides endeavoring to win the war, pay some attention to tihe several domestic questions that many people almost as pressing, and endeavor to make the lot of the people a little easier.

What is termed as "the greatest human story ever told" will be unfolded at Everybody's next week in the Fox ten-reel super-production, "The Honor System." This remarkable screen story stars some of the world's favorite screen personalities, including Ceorge Walsh, Miriam Cooper, Gladys Brockwell, Milton Sills, Charles Clary, and many other well-known names. The picture was produced !>y the wizard director, R. A, Walsh, and is the greatest production to which William Fox has set his seal.

An original Wild West story: Something quite new in ideas- The hardened movie fan will say that the thing is impossible, but all such sceptics should sec "The Firefly of Tough Luck," a Triangle drama featuring- Alma Kubens and Walt Whitman. In it, by the way, Alma dances a very effective liula hula to an absentee audience ; n a town that has ceased to exist. That ought to be original enough for anyone. "The Firefly" is the principal attraction at the Empire to-night and to-morrow.

crepe is at the Melbourne, This firm has just landed a lovely lot of these goods direct from Japanese manufacturers in white self colors and floral designs. Prices, Is 6d to 3s Gd. The Ss 6d ■whitecrepe is (beautifully soft, and is -extra, flaf-in-jrngw'