THE NEW LEADER'S ORDEAL

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 119, 22 May 1930, Page 8

THE NEW LEADER'S ORDEAL

Steady adherence to: principles and unfailing loyally to his Leader and his party have won for Mr. Forbes the highest political office in New Zealand. He will receive and deserve the congratulations of all who have worked with him, for' he has won their esteem, by his honesty and his staunch support of the retiring Prime Minister. , But loyalty to a leader," though a most admirable quality, is not a sufficient qualification for leadership. In other qualities essential to the head of a Government, Mr. Forbes has yet to prove his capacity. As Minister of Lands in Sir Joseph Ward's Cabinet he made a good beginning. He set himself the task 'of expediting the subdivision of large estates and the extension of land settlement. In this task he had the aid afforded by his1 leader's hold financial and landtaxing policy. Yet it cannot be said that the results are remarkable. Perhaps it is too early for.a final judgment. Allowance should be made also for the depression of primary production by lower prices. Nor has Mr. Forbes achieved much as Acting-Prime Minister. But here again he can point to the difficulties of deputy-leadership. He has had neither free opportunity nor full responsibility. Now that he has succeeded to the leadership, he must stand or fall on his own merits. Considering the magnitude of his task, the difficulties which he must encounter, and the weakness of the party which he leads, we are more .inclined to offer him sympathy than congratulations. Steadiness he has, but strength is needed. His own example of loyalty may serve to keep his small band together, but courage and initiative are required if the Government of the Dominion is to be established on a broader and firmer basis. The test for the new Prime Minister will come when he has to review the principles for which he and his party stand, and consider how far those principles operate to hinder the unification of the moderate political forces of the Dominion." Loyalty to Liberalism is commendable, but it must be a /discerning loyalty, which distinguishes between basic principles and mere worn-out'shib-boleths. Will Mr. Forbes be sufficiently far-seeing to recognise that nominal Liberalism cannot rescue New Zealand from its present'difficult position if that Liberalism is based on ancient feuds and personal differences? Will he realise that it is not only ineffective but perilous if it exposes the country to the domination of a Socialist minority? And if he realises this, will he have courage enough to take a new course and seek in fusion with the Reform. Party the strength which is unattainable by division of the .moderate parties? Until Mr. Forbes, can satisfy the public mind on these points judgment on the ultimate effect of his elevation to the Prime Minislership must be suspended. *