A NATIONAL MINISTRY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2501, 30 June 1915, Page 6

A NATIONAL MINISTRY

Thk PitniE Minister's announcement in Parliament Insl evening of the willingness of the Government to discuss with the Leaders of the Opposition the question of forming a National Ministry for the period of the war is an overture which *!l*Hllrl I'rininn'ii r l lUeir h-t U!! win ai« not blinded pai'tv,

feeling. Mn. Massey. in Ins very briel covering remarks, said afi there is to be said on the question when he pointed out that III:' uiie purpose all should have in view until the war is ended is Lhc best means of playing our part in the siru»glr. The Opposition, it is fair to assume, are quite as desirous as the Government that New Zealand shall assist to the uttermost of its power, and if that end is to lie attained Ihe members of the (iovernment should be in a position to devote their whole energies to the task. It- must be plain that so long as there is a Government in office chosen from one political party only it cannot hope to receive that fuli sympathy and assistance from members of the House of Keprcsentatives which would be accorded a Government chosen frum members of all parties. It is to secure this unanimity and unity of effort that the Government has made the offer stated. The sacrifice which the offer involves is not a light one, bui it is in keeping with the spirit of the times. From a party point of view the Government are giving away a great deal, and probably the Opposition may consider that in falling in with the proposal they would be sacrificing opportunities to embarrass the Government which might bo turned to a party advantage. But the whole essence of the proposal to form a National Ministry is that it for the timo being would abolish all party considerations front our politics in order to serve a higher end—the safeguarding of our national existence. If the Leaders of the different parties cannot rise superior to party considerations in arriving at a decision on this question then indeed it is hopeless to expect any good to come from what is now • proposed. If their outlook is so narrow and their ideas so petty that they cannot see and appreciate the greathess of the occasion which has prompted the proposal now put forward then our party system has proved a cursc indeed.