THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1908. LOOKING FORWARD.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3065, 9 December 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1908. LOOKING FORWARD.

The next session of Parliament is certainly some way off, but signs are not wanting that there is a very numerous body of people in the Dominion who are looking forward, with interest, as to what extent the Opposition Party, with its increased strength, will be able to control and regulate the actions of the Government. The successes of the Opposition Party at the recent polls may be partially attributed to the wave of depression throughout the country. While all goes well, that ia while the prices of produce are high, and as a'consequence there is plenty of money about, and while the Government can borrow large sums, both within and without the country, there is little genuine interest displayed in political

{fairs. The Government, of course, nodestly claimed to have created the irosperity, and the people, generally peaking, were rather inclined to be* ieve that they poss2ssed a prosperityiroducing Government. A touch of lepression, however, and with no nearis of knowing definitely whether 'the touch" might not develop into a violent collapse, set the people thinlcng, and the result was something nore than an unpleasant surprise for ;he Government. The Opposition Party has, undoubtedly, arrived at a ;ery critical stage in its career. It las tc keep the interest going that t has succeeded in arousing—a task ;hat would be wonderfully easy were lepression to continue, but as there jre, most fortunately, the best of indications that the financial condition of the country will become greatly improved during the next twelve months, the work of the Opposition Party in Parliament will have to be of such a character as to win decided respect and admiration in the country; if, when the next general election takes place, the strength of the Party is going to be increased. The country realises that, after many years, there are two parties in the Housie, although, of course, the disproportion in numbers is considerable, and, naturally, the actions and attitude of both parties will be more closely watched and compared than has been the case for some years past. We venture to say that the results of last elections have materially increased Mr Massey's responsibilities, and increased his opportunity of making or marring his name as a politician.