THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1910. WHAT IS WRONG?

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10024, 21 April 1910, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1910. WHAT IS WRONG?

The moribund condition of the Opposition party is every now and then the subject of newspaper comment, and. as a consequence, the question becomes generally discussed, but no very fresh light is ever shed upon the causes that contribute towards a condition that is undeniable. Were it I not that Parliament meets once a year the Opposition party would, practically, never be heard of, and, as it is, at the end of every session, whatever good work it may have accomplished, ,it cannot be said to have so improved the country generally as to have made any distinct progress as a party. It must, also, be remembered that the Government party are not so strong as was the case some years ago. When the late Mr Seddon was at the pinnacle of his fame tha Opposition very nearly Became totally extinct, even as a party, and as to public sentiment, well, it ran very much in the direction of regarding the Opposition's politics as being ot a decidedly fossilised character. But such a view was wrong. The Opposition party has always advocated the adoption of a number of sound politi-

cal principles, and in Mr Massey it has possessed a capable and conscientious leader for some years past What then is wrong? Why is it that in the face of a weakening Government party, when a Cabinet that contains men of various shades of opinion rules the country, when there is much dissatisfaction on the part of the people with the Governments' land policy, not to mention other matters, that there is no enthusiasm concerning the Opposition; that that parly cannot point to any substantial progress: that its leading members cannot even conjecture 33 to how there will be a likelihood of driving the Government pary from the Treasury benches. It is obvious that something is wrong. If the whole Government partty resigned to-morrow, and j a general election ensued, the Opposition would not secure a majority in the country. The Opposition party has no real grip upon the support of the people, and we ate much inclined' to think that it is fully aware of the fact. No doubt politics are at the pre- j sent time somewhat dead, and the ) leader of the Opposition cannot be i fairly blamed for apathy that arises through conditions that are beyond the politicians' control. Of course everyone should take a keen interest in politics —it is his duty, but the performance of duty is even more strictly obser«ed in the breach than m any other way, and so it is with tha interest that one should take in politics. When times are good, and J the outlook bright, the people, as a , whole, are careless, or rather apathetic as to the political acts or omis- I sions of their representatives in Par- j lament. Had the wave of depression ' been greater, or had it continued longer, there is no doubt that interest in politics would have greatly increased. Only when faced with bad times do the great body of the people reaiire how greatly their welfare is bound up with sound politics and honest administration. The Government party to-day have practically no party policy, while they are fully alive to the advantages that arise through controlling the pursestrings; and the Opposition has a policy that is too much of a party nature —too cramped, too selfish, too capitalistic in its tone, if not in fact. If the Opposition policy were somewhat "liberalised," or nationalised, and were some progressive features introduced, it would unquestionably t appeal with greater force to the public, while young and capable men in the Opposition ranks should be induced to come forward and offer their services to the country. A political party with the motto "New Zealand for New Zealandsrs," and genuine in its aspirations, would speedily 1 cause greater and more satisfactorfy interest to be .taken in national affairs.