Political Parties at Home.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15421, 28 October 1915, Page 6

Political Parties at Home.

Whoever thought of' bringing to Lord Derby's notice the Australasian comments 'ijion the political bickering in Great i'ritain had a useful inspiration. It has drawn from Lord Derby a statement wlili:<i"vr!il can.si general satisfaction in this (craer of the Empire. For a consideiuble tvnie p.ie" tho cable mes-

sages concerning the conscription con-

troversy nave u.cn vny disturbing to

the minds of Australasian people, and the impression crcatcd bj the cable messages has ccrtainly been regularly confirmed by the files oi - the English newspapers. Leading men on both sides—oonscriptiotiists and voiuntaryists —have been engaged in vigorous and often bitter conflict, and the newspapers have been even more bitter stil!. 0 * To Australasian cy-s this quarrel, botweon men whoso patriotism and singlehearted desire to I t-lp Britain and the Empire ncbrdy dot:l ts, has seemed a distressing and even a dangerous thing.

In our own past comments we have not suggested, for wo 'have not believed, that eit'vr ihe friends or opponents of conscription Iwe simply concerned to further or to defend parly policies. Bnt the controversy, chiefly owing to the ncglcet of the Press on both sides to restrain the tone of it. had the resultof dividing public opinion as sharply as if a general election were to be fought upon the. issue. liOid Derby now assures Australasia that the present movement to raise a voluntary army sufficient for Britain's needs is supported by all parties and classcs. It is very largely due to Lord Derby himself that this refreshing unanimity has replaced the bitter disunion that- has caused so

much dismay to the King's subjects out here. If that unanimity lasts, and all parties co-operate heartily in making a thorough trial of the resources of voluntaryism, giving that system fair treatment by making plain the

supreme need of the Empire and the necessity that compulsion shall be resorted to if voluntaryism fails, much of the harm done by the controversy may be undone. Had there been no controversy, and had the Go\ eminent suddenly, when the necessity arose, introduced a first instalment of compulsion, tho unpreparedness of the nation for such a vast in the order of things would have been offset by a general conviction that the Government's decision was prompted solely by national considerations. As matters stand, a largo section of tho nation has been filled with suspicion as to the real forces behind the advocacy of conscription. and the controversy has had the result that, if it does become necessary to apply compulsion, it may be difficult to do so with safety. A\ e may, perhaps add in conclusion that there has never been any doubt in New Zealand minds that New Zealanders cannot do much better than copy the patriotism and self-sacrifice of the people of Britain. There ha 3 been nothing but

admiration for the manner in which tho political parties at Home have sunk

th'.'ii- normal differences. As for Australia. it must be eont\vM-<l that it does not become a country where, in a lew

days, nn orgy <if bitter party politics' will lie at its height, to find fault with the political atmosphere of Britain.