THE MISSING POLICY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14909, 24 February 1914, Page 7

THE MISSING POLICY.

6 —' A STRANGE APOLOGY. (special to "titc rnsss.") DUNEDIN, February 23. The ''Star" says:—"Nothing moro absurd can be imagined than thc condemnation of the Leader of tho Opposition by certain Ministerial organs for having failed to disclose a policy with which tho Liberals may mako a bid in December for tho sweets of offico. Such an idea could only havo entered the heads of tyros in polities, becauso had Sir Joseph Ward, in his Winton address, elaborated any constructive scheme, he would not only have given his hand away, thereby showing that he lacked one of the principal essentials of successful leadership, but would have flouted his party, who, in caucus assembled at Wellington in the carlv part of tho present month, had, with Sir Joseph's full concurrence, agreed upon a definite line of action in view of the Ides of December. Policy-making at this early stage is certainly no part of the Opposition programme, nor should it be for many months to come. It would be paying a poor compliment to Sir Joseoh to suppose that after sitting in Parliament for more than & decade, and being one of the guiding minds of tho Liberal Party for so many years, he would bo oblivious of the obligations cast upon him in his present position of waiting and watching. '