PARTY GOVERNMENT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 124, 27 May 1915, Page 3

PARTY GOVERNMENT

"EFFETE, OBJECTIONABLE, AND UNSUITABLE." (IT IELESRAPH— PRBSS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, 26th May. An outspoken criticism of the 'present system of government was voiced by the Provincial President of the New Zealand Farmers' Union (Major D. H. Lusk) at the annual conference this afternoon. "Referring to political matters in connection with our Government and our representatives in Parliament," said Major Lusk, "I desire to point out that, in our view, and also that of the public generally, the present situation and outlook are not' at all satisfactory, and that, as our conference has repeatedly affirmed, the system of government by party is effete, objectionable, and unsuitable to our circumstances, a hindrance to our progress and prosperity, and should be replaced- ,by more truly representative and smooth-working arrangements. This has lately been most I forcibly brought to our notice through the bitter electoral disputes and scandals disclosed in our Law Courts, and even the balance of numbers in parties striving against each other. (Applause.) This truth," added the speaker, "had forced itself also upon the politicians of Great Britain, who had now practically adopted an elective Executive. Let us then hope that our Parliamentary political leaders will at once follow their good example, cease wrangling, and, selecting for three years their most able departmental managers as an Executive, settle doAyn quietly to do their best for tho country in this its hour of trial." (Applause.)