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Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1920, Page 4

THE BY-ELECTION. It has been the general experience in the past that where an election has been upset on technical grounds, the unseated member (if eligible), or a supporter of the same policy has been returned, mostly with an increased majority. The public take none too kindly to their verdict being legally upset, and only reregister their decision more emphatically on the next occasion. This is what has happened at Stratford, where, after one of the most strenuous by-elections ever held in Mie Dominion, Mr. Masters lies again been returned, with an increased majority. The absent votes have yet to be counted, but it may be assumed that they will not change the position very materially. For a by-election the voting was unusually heavy, and the organisation of both sides must have been efficient and complete. The people's decision can now be accepted as final, as it might well have been before, thus saving a good deal of money, energy and recrimination. The election was fought more on personal than policy grounds, and the result, therefore, lias no particular political significance. It must be conceded, even by those opposed to Mr. Masters, that in the short time he acted as member he acquitted himself with the same success he has achieved as chairman of the Taranaki Education Board, and there is every reason to believe that in him the electorite will have an alert, energetic and capable representative. There will lie many who will regret the disappearance from political life of Mr. Hine, who has served the district and the country faithfully and well. It was his misfortune to be opposed by such a strong and able man. Though the election is without any particular political significance, it cannot be denied that there is a growing dissatisfaction with the go-slow policy of the Government. Nearly five months have elapsed since the general election, and the Prime Minister has not yet completed the reebnstruetion of his Ministry, which at present is - about the weakest in talent that the country has had to endure. The fact o'f the matter is that Mr. Massey is attempting altogether too much himself. If be were twice as strong and capable as he is, he must breik down under the immense strain to which he is voluntarily subjecting himself by failing to bring into the Cabinet the best men -available. The country does not want politics to-day—it has too long been surfeited with them. It is looking for the solving of the many problems that are before it. The altered conditions call (for immediate attention, and Cabinet must pay heod or be prepared for the consequences of their inability or inaction. Mr. Massey has a snlendid chance to-day to prove his statesmanship; no one since Seddon has had a better opportunity, but he must realise that he cannot do everything himself, and that he must first of all reorganise and strengthen liis Cabinet, retiring several who, in sporting parlance, have long ''lost their dash," and bringing in the best and brightest talent, espeein'ly commercial talent, irrespective of whether or not the men have had previous administrative experience. The public is prepared to make due allowance for the difficulties before the Government, but it is in no .mood to put up with the present inactivity when so much urgently requires to be done.