THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1929. WATCHING AND WAITING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 138, 13 June 1929, Page 8

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1929. WATCHING AND WAITING.

Though the results of the elections gave little indication of that great "Liberal revival" predicted with such a wealth of exuberant rhetoric by Mr, Lloyd George, the Liberals have 58 members in the House of Commons, they can speak with the united voice of 5,000,000 electors, and apart from the actual strength of their position they have the satisfaction of knowing that they hold the balance of power between the two stronger parties. It now remains to be seen how they will use the advantages that they possess, and' the line that they decide to take in the near future must become a matter of great national and constitutional importance.

The situation as it appeals to them has been defined -with great dexterity and astuteness by the chairman of the Liberal Party. Writing to a Liberal candidate at the Rugby by-election, Sir Herbert Samuel has pointed out that, broadly speaking, the Liberals have practically succeeded in completing their self-imposed political task. The Liberal Party appealed to the electors to put an end to the inefficient and unprogressive Conservative administration, and it also urged them "not to consent to vast Socialistic experiments." The electors have done precisely these things, and this result could not have been achieved without the active intervention of Liberalism and the 5,000,000 votes that it controlled. Both Conservatism and extreme Socialism have been repudiated by the nation, and the electors owe to Liberalism both the opportunity and the power to assert themselves so emphatically.

But what will they do now? Sir Herbert Samuel's answer to this question is quite as definite as the exceptional circumstances of the case permit. Let the new Government have a fair chance to submit its proposals to the House. Clearly the Liberals have not the least intention of joining hands with the Conservatives to rob Labour of its well-earned right to put its programme before Parliament in detail. But there follows an emphatic word of warning: "If the Government adopts an immoderate policy the Liberal Party must bethere and ready." There is nothing in this to suggest that the Liberal loaders anticipate any ill-regulated or irresponsible action on the part of Labour, and the fact that the Mac Donald Ministry contains a strong leavening of "intellectuals" whose political opinions were formed first in the Liberal camp is a sufficient guarantee against this danger. The policy of the Liberal Party was summed up by their great leader long ago in one pregnant phrase— "watchful waiting"—rand this is quite sufficient to define their attitude to-day.

LABOUR AND THE WAGE-EARNER

Whatever Mr. Mac Donald's intentions may be, there can be no doubt that the -wageearners -who have been so largely instrumental in restoring him to power expect him to take prompt and vigorous steps to improve their position. Among the claims to which the coal workers attach the greatest importance are the demands for a national agreement, a national minimum wage, and the nationalisation of the mines; and already the indefatigable Mr. A. J. Cook has reminded the Labour Government that it cannot "betray the miners' trust." In the distracted condition of the industry Mr. Mac Donald will find many opportunities for antagonising and few chances of satisfying any of the parties concerned. But it happens that at this moment a crisis is also imminent in. the cotton trade, still Britain's greatest industry, and there the manufacturers have taken the initiative by threatening a heavy reduction in wages. The outlook in regard to these two problems is distinctly gloomy for the Labour Ministry. But Mr. Mac Donald can quote Sir John Sankey to the coal owners and Mr. Baldwin to the mill-owners with great success, and if he deals firmly with the employers on these lines the nation need not have any serious apprehension on this score for the future.

TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.

The setting up by the Government of a Transport Advisory Board was viewed with some suspicion by an over-controlled, ovevgoverned country, but it is easy to believe that it will justify itself. At any rate, everybody should wish it well. Like every other country, New Zealand is facing very difficult problems of transport, which if not solved may involve the State and private enterprise in huge losses, and an advisory body—emphasis should be placed on "advisory"—constituted as this should be able to render important national service. ■ At the first meeting of the Council yesterday principles were laid down, among which Avas a fresh repudiation of the idea that the motor transport problem was going to resolve itself into a struggle between the railways and its rivals. The two kinds of • transport are to be developed side by side. The Government is wise in taking up this attitude, though it is really bowing to the inevitable, but all such assurances do not alter the fact that this rivalry exists and that great national interests are at stake. This country is near the top of the list as a user of motor vehicles, and the number of vehicles steadily increases. On the other hand, the railways' financial position grows worse. The "Dominion"' put -it this way the other day, that between 1924 and 1928, 127 miles were added to open lines at a cost of 7i- millions (nearly £00,000 a mile); the profit on working had decreased about 50 per cent; and there was a drop from £519 to £327 in the net earnings per average mile. How far the new Advisory Council is going to concern itself with motor competition with the railways is not made clear, but the public will certainly wish to know. Will its opinion be ignored when the Government is making up its mind about .ngw taction.?