WELLINGTON TOPICS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1928, Page 7

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE, POLITICAL OUTLOOK. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEW. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, April 4. Sii- Joseph Ward left by the Rotorua this morning on a business trip of both private and publie importance, as he said at the gangway, expecting to be back in the Dominion before the end of July. He previously had alluded briefly, and without any party bias, to the political outlook. He regretted the necessity of his being away during the first month of the approaching session, but he had. taken pains to let big constituents understand the position, and he had made arrangements for their interests being cared for during his absence. Sir Joseph did not expect measure© of any great importance to make their appearance in the House before he would be there himself. No such meaz ures, except, of course, supply, whici provided only an opportunity lor talk would be introduced so soon. Jn an) case, he had made provision, »g far « could be, for any contingency that migh arise, down to his nomination paper foi the Invercargill constituency, wheel electors had been uncommonly good t< mm. _ There were indications abroad oi a desire on the part of the Government for an early session and a short one; but personally he could see no sound reason for a departure from the customary routine.

THE POLITICAL PARTIES.

While avoiding being drawn into any personal or political discussion on the eve of his departure, Sir Joseph said he wag watching developments with much interest. He thought that his own party —the Liberal Party of one—was the only section of the House that wag really unperturbed. The Government wag very fortunate in having an Opposition broken up into two or three contending parties that could not agree upon the first essentials of a common policy. There had been a good deal of talk about dissensions in the Reform Party, and everyone knew there had been a measure of dissatisfaction within its ranks; but unless the dissentients were prepared to renounce the very foundations of their political faith there appeared to be no resting place for them in any of the Opposition fol.ls. If, as had been stated, there were scoreq of new aspirants for political honours, commercial and professional men, eager and fully equipped, awaiting to take the field on the side of the Opposition, then there would be something to talk about. But for some reason or another no sneh candidates had yet made their appearance in public and time wag passing. Sir Joseph implied that his own party was better prepared.