THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1919, Page 6

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

PARTY WARFARE ABOUT TO BEGIN. "" (From Our Own Correspondent) Wellington, August 9. The two party leaders have nothing to say for publication regarding the political situation. . They will study the position for themselves, confer with their colleagues iar the National Government, and later meet the members of thenrespective parties. They are both careful in the meantime to maintain the party truce that was declared when the National Government was formed.

The reticence of the leaders, however, does not conceal altogether the fact that party ,)varfaro in form is about to begin. It is no secret now that I.lr 'Massey and Sir Joseph Ward did not maintain amicable ,rclatigns ( all the time they were away. They had differences and they expect to have differences again. That is an, inference justified by well founded rumor. But when the break-up of the National Government will come it is impossible yet to say with any certainty. The present indications are that the Government will meet Parliament and at least present an account of stewardship before it gives way to a party Ministry. It is suggested with some show of reason that the first move to end the war coalition will come from the Liberal side. Mr Massey has said that he will not meet the Reform members in caucus until the session opens at the end ot this month. Mr Massey is Prime Minister and is also head of a party that has declared for a permanent coalition of the best elements of the two parties, and in these circumstances he probably would not feel called upon to make the first move. But just at present the only course is to wait and see. THE SESSION. The meeting of Parliament has been fixed for a later date than was generally expected, and the delay is taken to mean that/ Ministers are anxiotu to make the session as short'as possible. The absolutely necessary business will occupy at least a month, even if private members can be induced to curb their eloquence, and by the middle of October, with a general election in view, even the most persistent talkers will be wanting to get back to their conitituents . Of course within a few hours of their arrival Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward have not grown communicative concerning the termination of the party truce, but among the rank, and file of both parties there is a feeling

that the National Cabinet has run its course and that its dissolution need be followed by none of the evils that have been predicted.