THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1908. THE OPPOSITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9124, 25 June 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1908. THE OPPOSITION.

The results of the General election should either mend or end the Opposition Party, that is, the official Opposition Party, which spell their name with a capital 0. But whatever the results may be a drastic alteration in the opposition that is being presented to the Government is inevitable. For some years past it has been fairly generally believed that the Opposition composed chiefly of its present members, would, in the words of the song, "Fade away and gradually die," but the events of the

last six years have shown that the Opposition Party, small as it is, clings tenaciously to life. It is not so much the principles of the Opposition, as some of the personalities contained in its rank?, that effectually bar the road to progress. It h is not that those members specially referred to are either lacking in ability, or are less patriotic than any member in the House, but they have been associated with the Opposition Party, under leadership other than the present at a time when the people of the country rejected with exceeding vigour anything ir the nature of Opposition policy, and established in its steacl a totally different policy. In the days of the late Mr Seddon the people decided to absolutely reject Opposition measures, and it followed in the public mind that the men went with the measures, certainly so far as placing there in power in the future was concerned. Whether that decision was for weal or woe the future will reveal, but of this there is doubt that it is irrevocable. There is probably no one more respected throughout the Dominion than Mr Massey, but the people are in no manner of mind to make him Premier of the country. The utter hopelessness of the situation will probably dawn upon the Opposition Party after next General Election. A coalition between the Government and the Opposition parties is altogether out of the question. A coalition between the Government and Labour is unlikely because the Labour Party has been fooled, and severely fooled, in the past, and it is not likely to forget, especially as the financial condition of the country will probably stimulate their remembrance for some time to come. What is required in the interests of the country is a coalition between the Opposition, Independent Government, Independent Opposition, and Independent Liberal members. No doubt nothing in this direction will be done until after tho Election—each candidate will, we anticipate, go his own sweet way until the Election is over. It is then that we think the opportunity wilt occur to form a genuine and effective Opposition—an Opposition liberal and progressive, and Jetermined to carry out the people's wishes.