COALITION? VARIETY OF OPINION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 150, 26 June 1915, Page 3

COALITION? VARIETY OF OPINION

'A GLANCE AT THE FACTORS. NEED OF DEEP THINKING.(By Memor.) With the distraction of carnivals and preparations for these varied entertainments, the general war news, and the casualty lists, large numbers of New Zealanders have given yery little thought recently to matters of domestic politics. The public may have a lively interest soon in suggestions ot proposals pf a coalition "National Government" as distinct from "Party Govern" ment," but at present the discussion is mainly restricted to politicians and the press. This article does not aspire to an offer of definite guidance to people who may be puzzled by conflicting voices; it is an effort*-by a few ques-tions-*to bring tho vague debate on to plain, clear ground. HOW THE MOVEMENT BEGAN. The coalition idea "was promoted principally, by the closeness of the election results. The final figures are:-— Massey Party, 41 j Ward Party, 33} Labour and Social Democrats, 6. Summarised the position is: Government, 41; Opposition combine 39. The Lahour members and "Social Demoauts" , have unmistakeably shown that their voting with the Waid party is nofc to be regarded as a merging or fusion. These two parties are eager to preserve their individuality. The official organ of the Social Democrats has expressed hostility to the Ward party as well as to the Massey patty. The Govornmehet claims that if any party has a mandate from the electors it is the party in power. The question is asked by the Ministerial press- If the electors— According to certain Opposition journals— have expressed & vote of no-confidence in the Massey Administration, where and how is that expression to be recognised? What was the test question of the ( elections? What was tho electors' decision between the performances and promises of the rival parties? The figures— 4l, 33, 6— though unsatisfactory, are more definite* than any cohtention which cannot be established by unquestionable evidence. • Behind much of this discussion, o£ the ''atate of parties" there is a belief that if the Government had been returned with a cleat 1 Majority of six or seven or ten seats, the right of tho dominant party to a continuance of office, with the existing Ministry, could not have been disputed, without gray« reason for a change. How far, then, does the narrowing of the majority support the argument for a coalition?, Given the same Government, to what extent is it handicapped, in preseht circuit stances, by its small majority' "NO PARTY POLITICS." In an ordinary session of general business, the Government which has only a vote or two between office and defeat is palpably unhappy, and the country may be in a continual state of unrest. The experience of New South Wales, when Mr. Speaker Willis played the role of dictator, is too recent to need more than bare mention. If tho element of party politics is, eliminated, and the Governments programme i» wholly national, there is obviously a very different situation for the commentators to con* aider. THE EXAMPLE OP BRITAIN. Helping the election figures to work for coalition came the example of Great, Britain. But are the conditions similar? Numbers of writers, whose status commands respect, have declared that the Asquith Government absolutely needed an accession of strength from the other side. They point to munitions and to a failure to obtain a thoroughly effective co-operation of labour and capital for the nation's needs.' Is there a case against the New Zealand Administration on a charge of mismanagement or muddlement in regard to any important part of the war work? Accusations have been made in the Opposition press—for example, the canteen matter early in tho war, 1 and alleged unfair preferential treatment in the appointment of certain officers, cost of living, and other criticism— but the people still await facts propor« tionate to the aggregate of allegations. "PARTY FEELING" UP TO THE PRESENT. ■ > Another question by friends of the Government is. Up to to-day how fat has "party feeling' operated to the detriment of New Zealand and the Empire? The voluntary contributions for the various patriotic and relief funds have continued generously from all classes ; the recruiting has com© up to the full number which the authorities are able to train efficiently ; this country's quota of men has been increased, and it is admitted by competent observers that the standard attained by the Reinforcements has improved steadily. The foot and horse of the Fifth are believed to be tho best-trained force ever raised in New Zealand. If coalition is to improve the service which New Zealand is giving to the Empire, the reasons have to be stated, and tli© direction in which the benefit is to be gained has to be indicated, as the basis of a "National Government." No doubt, all these matters will have attention in the Address'in-Reply debate, PARTIES-AND THE FUTURE. The members of all parties wish to do their best towards tho winning of the war, but they know that all wars have an end — and the thoughts of some fIV forward to the time beyond the war. Members of both the large parties have some interest in the possible effects of . a coalition on their prospects in the next appeal to the country. Tho Empire and New Zealand come first, but the parties are not indifferent to' their own' pOsU tion, in public estimation, two or three years hence. This aspect of the coalition case is sure of a thorough discussion at the caucus meetings which are to be held —and finality may not b& reached in either camp this week.