Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE Cromwell, Monday, March 4, 1912

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2287, 4 March 1912, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE Cromwell, Monday, March 4, 1912

The result of '.he division in Parliament on Tuesday '" XO last was in the CONFIDENCE." main a signal viefor the Liberal and progressive party, and for that parly to continue iu the administration of the affairs of this Dominion. 13ut the result has a much deeper significance in the fact that Toryism received a severe rebuke. Since the second ballot the Opposition has clamored for Parliament to meet, lest the chains with which they sought to bind the Independent members, and the inducements by which they endeavored to cajole the Labor members into the Opposition web, might be undermined and shattered. From the outward expressions prior to Parliament meeting the outlook of the Liberal party was not hopeful. Labor and Independent members attended the session primed with the wrongs of Sir Joseph Ward and his party, and inundated with charges of bribery and corruption levelled against the Government by the Tory press, but dwindling into oblivion when placed before the accusers for corroboration. But tact, ability, aud straightforwardness won the day. While Masscy and Co were seething for a division the Government members continued the debate until such time as the Independent and Labor members were able to truly gunge the merits of the respective parties. Is it any surprise that the Labor members were forced to admit that iE their cause was to be uplifted it wis by allegiance to the Liberal parly; or that Independents should confess that the charges laid at the feet of the Government lacked substantiation, and that the Opposition criticism of the borrowing policy of the last six years was not supported by their method of voting. The position was undoubtedly iu the hands of the Independents and Labor, and the victory brought to the Liberals by the alliance of these was one of merit—and merit only—after carefully weighing the substance of the debate. Toryism had once again entered the precincts of the goal which they coveted by all means, but it is self-evident that its course has been run, and the now welded coalition of- Liberals and Labor will prove the foundation of the party which must, in the course of years, annihilate the party sailing under the misappropriated cognomen —the '• Refora " party. While admitting that Mr Masscy has for once done the correct thing in withdrawing the charges against Mr Payne, we must go further and review the light iu which tlie charge was made. Many are the unfounded charges of corruption levelled against the parly in the past, but on this occasion Mr Massey was trapped with an unflinching demand for corroboration, and his position was only aliievated by his withdrawal. The Opposition's strenuous protest against an adjournment met with a worse fate than the no-confidence motion, for Sir Joseph Ward's proposal to adjourn in constitutional maimer for a month with a further prorogation till June and present the new Ministry iu due course was supported by all members except Mr Massey's pledged suppor.ers. In conclusion we might briefly refer to the resignation of Sir Joseph Ward, most able statesman, most resourceful politician, ami above all the greatest legislator in the cause of humanity and the masses who has ever directed a parly in power, lie resigns from power with the Liberal Hag sliil on the mast, with an unblemished character and record unassailable, and unworthy of the chapter of abuse' that has been hurled against him, not forgetful of the scurrilous infusion of sectarianism into the political issue. He resigns with (he full knowledge that the sound policy of which he has ably laid the foundation will materialise, and humanijy will benefit thereby, ami relieve.! of the bonds of office will be a tower of strength in the iile of the Liberal-Labor party. Columns could he

devoted with credit to the work lie has accomplished, and even uow many of his strongest opponents are forced to admit his many sterling qualities, and foremost anions those whose names go down in the history of New Zealand statesmen will be Sir J. G. Ward.