POLITICAL POSITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1919, Page 4

POLITICAL POSITION.

INTERESTS OP COUNTRY fcEFORE i PARTY. STATEMENT BY PREMIER, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A brief statement of his viera on the present situation in the Dominion was made by the Prime Minister to-day. The policy of the country must be the policy of progress. To carry out a vigor-' nus policy of reconstruction and develop* mout in times like the present there must be a strong Government. There must be a Government that will place the interests of the country before party nnd every other consideration. What is wanted is a solid combination oi patriotic, progressive, and practical members of Parliament, conscientiously representing the people in the detin foil, national progress, a combination of ear> nest men whose democratic Instincts, honesty, and ability can be relied Upon. "I do not look for perfection in poU« ticians any more than in any otW class," continued Mr. Massey, "but the times are so serious and the ontlook'-M uncertain that much greater reeponei* bility than ever before rests upon the electors to see that men to whom ther can entrust the management of their public affairs will, in all tests and circumstances, unflinchingly do their duty, and thus do justice and credit to the position!) they are intended to occupy. There will be great issues to be dealt with and settled during the period on which we are entering, and many prob* . lemff to be solved on which the pnn< perity of the country and the happiness of the people for many years to come must depend. We cannot afford to Make mistakes. Industry and energy must he maintained and encouraged. There must be equal opportunities for all. I hope that in many respects we shall profit by the lesson* of the war and leant from what has taken place that, as citizens of one country, we should, so to-speak, be members of one family, ready help each other when assistance is required and when help can be given. States, like individuals, have their temptation* nnd times of doubt and difficulty. Lei •in hope that New Zealand trill alwivs choose the better part and do the right thing in all circumstances. If we are to be successful in the condilet of onr public affairs the interests of the country must come before party or personal advantage."