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WELLINGTON TOPICS

FAKTY HARMONY. A HAPPY FAMILY, ' j[Speeial Correspondent.) Wellington, Nov. 15. s£ e effect of tho party truce lias 'been tlie members of the old parties itafee much closer personal relationship tliail they ever were before- The old asperities have disappeared, the old methods of speech have ibecn vastly modified, and the old differences are scarcely perceptible. Occasionally a Minister has an exchange of pleasantries with a member of the rank and file, but it is as often with, one of his own party as with one on the other side of politics. Tho Reform lion, in very truth, has lain down with the Liberal land), and even the Labor goat is showing no disposition to disturb this happy arrangement Whether or not it is going to please the electors when they get an opportunity to express an opinion on the matter remains to be seen, but meanwhile Ministers are showing no inclination to return to the old strenuous ways, and the great majority of their followers are evidently well enough content to wait, like Mr. Micawber, for something to •turn up. THE REFOEM CAUCUS.

In these circumstances, no one was greatly surprised when it was announced this morning, in so many words, that the Reform Caucus, which had Been sitting on and off during the armistice celebrations, had expressed its approval of the formation of a National Party which would eschew all the old shibboleths, forget all the old grievances, and set its face steadfastly towards building- up a new political heaven and a new political earth on the sure foundations of patriotism and conciliation. It appeared the natural corollary to three years of amity and good-will Ibetween the lion and the lamb. But already there is a feeling among certain Liberal members, shared bv all the Labor members, that the proposal is designed to restrain the progressive zeal of a minority in tho House that hopes to go to the country with a programme which will convert it into a majority. This is the kind of criticism the scheme invites and the kind of criticism likely to carry weight in the constituencies.

DISSENTIENT LIBERALS. It is rumored that the proposal did not find unanimous approval at the Reform Caucus, that several of the "old brigade'' objected to an arrangement which could result only in unsatisfying compromises, and that the probability of the electors taking umbrage at having their interests parcelled off without their being consulted was mentioned- A considerable number of Liberals are still more candid in their criticism of the scheme. It would finally divorce Labor from the Liberal camp, they say, and would delay indefinitely reforms the Liberal leader has promised the people. The National Government has not proved Ruch a success in practice that it will predispose the electors towards a National Parliament, and ita failures have been chiefly due to the absence of an effective Opposition for which the scheme makes no provision!. The Labor Party, of course, is rejoicing over such prospeet as there is of a complete coalition between the two older parties, believing it would make for a substantial accession to its own strength. THE REFORM VIEW.

A prominent Reformer, holding what his party would have regarded a few veava ago as ultra-democratic views on many of the important questions of the clay, says lie has given his support to the proposal not because he wishes to reinforce his own party in office or to defeat the reasonable aspirations of Labor, hut because he wants to see tho post-war problems and the political reconstructions they will involve handled toy a strong, stable. Government, safe from embarrassment Iby the extremists on' either side. He maintains that the National Government has been at a great disadvantage during the war period in having to avoid all controversial questions, in terms of the party truce; ibut that this disability would not apply to a Coalition Government in time of peace, the whole range of politics being open for discussion-, There is something to be said for this point of view, but it is itot expected it will be a accepted by the members of he Liberal Party with anything like unanimity.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19181118.2.7

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1918, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
697

WELLINGTON TOPICS Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1918, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1918, Page 2

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