THE PARTY CLEAVAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 201, 25 August 1919, Page 6

THE PARTY CLEAVAGE.

"LEADER'S COALITION LOYALTY RELIEF OF THE LIBERALS. The decision of Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues to sever their association with the Coalition Government has, according to Mr. ('. 11. Poole, M.P., been somewhat anxiously awaited by the members of the Liberal party, who at their last caucus expressed the opinion that the time hud come for the cleavage. "The intense loyalty of Sir Joseph Ward to the Coalition Government during the last <U years lias created uneasiness even among the strongest radicals of bis party, for fear he might become engulfed ill conservatism," said Mr. Poole. "Now that he has taken the inevitable step, some people are inclined to criticise his action as being premature. Recognising that his part}' were not prepared to go to political execution in the last session of the Parliament— the war being now over- it now- becomes impossible fur Sir Joseph Ward to frame a policy budget for the coming session. 1 feel certain, however, that his sympathy and experience will be given to the re-enactment of the necessary laws for the completion of the war work. In deference to the wishes and convictions of the members of bis party, Sir Joseph Word has taken the only step possible under the circumstances, after devoting bis time and .nullifications as a financier to the war work of the last four years."