The Press Monday, May 7, 1923. The Political Situation.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17756, 7 May 1923, Page 8

The Press Monday, May 7, 1923. The Political Situation.

It is not often that a by-election in New Zealand receives the advertisement of a leading article in "The Times" of London Our little local contest attract next- to no attention beyond our coasts, but/ the Tauranga by-election was of such unusual interest and importance that it is not surprising that ''The Times 1 ' considered it worthy of editorial attention. 1o those in England whoso deep interest in the large problems of Empire leads them to pay attention to events in the Dominions the purely local issues concerned in such a. matter as a by-elec-tion are of much less moment than the possible effect of the election upon any point of geuera! Imperial interest. Hence it was that "The Times" suggested that the election of Mr 3iacmillan might have "an influence on "Imperial politics far beyond the shores "of New Zealand." Owing to the uncertainty of the political outlook,,Mr Massey was unable to notify the Imperial Government that he would represent New Zealand at the Imperial Conference to be held towards the end Of the- year. "The Times" expressed the hope that Tauranga's strengthening of. Mr Massey's position would enable him to take his place at the Conferonce table, his presence at which is .very highly valued by British statesmen. Whether ho will bo able thus to secure the adequate representation of New Zealand at a Conference of the highest importance will depend upon the attitude of the Opposition, or. rather, upon that section of it which is led by Mr Wilford. Unless the Liberals show a disposition to contribute to our politics something other and something better than reasonless obstruction, the Prime Minister may iiud ib difficult to visit London. It is possible for a policy of obstruction to bring effective government to a standstill, and in that ease the country will probably be obliged to find a way out through another general, election. Between now and the assembling of Parliament members of the Liberal Party should apply themselves to a consideration of their position. "Tbo Times" says that "the- fact that' there is little real "difference of policy betweeu the lle"form Party find tbo liberal Party" makes- a second appeal to the country "almost ridiculous." Ono may agree or disagree with that view, but openminded men will pay heed to the verdict which a, well-informed and disinterested obser.ver at a distance gives upon the claim of many Liberals that their Party stands for something distinctively and fundamentally different from the policy of the Government. The Liberal Party consists partly of reasonable enough men who see the uuwisdom and absurdity of irreconcilable antagonism to the Government, . but who feel obliged to follow the old habit of opposition, and partly of "diehards" dominated by personal prejudice and ill-will towards the men who replaced, the old Party in 3.912. 'The fiction that the Liberal Party has a policy which is opposed to the policy of Mr Massey has been maintained in the hope of something turning up. It is clear that nothing can turn up which can give Mr Wilford or any other Liberal leader anything near a majority. The only thing that has turned up is the increased strength of tne Eed6, and the thing for rational Liberals to do is to realise that to follow the dictates of dieliardism is only to play the Reds' game.