Feilding Star, Oroua and Kiwitea Counties Gazette. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1914. What About it?

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2523, 19 December 1914, Page 2

Feilding Star, Oroua and Kiwitea Counties Gazette. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1914. What About it?

The political position is still a source of worry to many of our readers, and we are receiving many queries everyday concerning political possibilities. As we do not know the mind of Premier Massey, we cannot give any definite news of his intentions. But the possibilities are interesting. For instance, as Cabinet meetings are no longer being held in AVellington—several of the Cabinet Ministers having departed for other places—we may take it that there will be nothing doing regarding the situation for the remainder of this month. Ministers deserve a rest during the holiday season. And after that? Probably something may happen very suddenly, or maybe 'there will be nothing doing for some time—until June, in fact. The Opposition will object? Of course, they will! That is their

business, if they see a chance of win- ! ning even by one vote—in which Australia and New Zealand history would | only be repeating itself. But 3lr >hy holding office till h 6 is defeated in Parliament; and New Zealand has everything to" Jose if the Red Feds

are given the chance earlier than June next, to get .any political party in the hollow of its hand—a very real danger if the Opposition Party can force tlie Government's hands just now. Wo will probably learn -the will of the Opposition Party after its caucus meeting of Tuesday next. But who knows what tlie Labour Parly will do? {supposing it is'unitedly determined to vote Mr Massey out on a no-confidence motion. What guarantee is there that- the Labourites will not turn round immediately afterwards and repeat its performance, of some three years ago—join the Massey Party to oust Sir Joseph AVard? That is why our wish is father to our thought that Mr Massey will continue to hold the reins until June next. AYe do not like the idea of tho Red Fed element holding the whip hand in .politics, and that' is what will happen if Sir Joseph AVard comes into power by the grace of the Labour Party, which has seven more-or-less-solid votes to make or break a party with. And it will only unmake Mr Massey on terms that cannot be otherwise but galling to the Leader of the Oposition. AA T e do not think that the Reform or the Opposition Party would be gained by a dissolution, and another appeal to the country. The movo would be disastrous to business in tho Dominion, which has already suffered quite enough from dislocation caused by the war. Lot us at least have political peace, especially there is a way out if only the principal parties .-and their leaders have the courage to rise to the great occasion. Coalition is the way out. A strong combination against tho Red Fed in and out ot poliatics would ensure peace and good government for years and years. If Mr Massey offered seats in his Cabinet to Sir Joseph AVard, Dr. McNab, and Mr Myers, these three Liberals would attract a strong following, and save, the country from disruption at a critical period in the Empire's history. Thin! it over, gentlemen, as patriots—for after all, a.s politicians, you would not be breaking or straining any potical principles .by a coalition. Mi Massey is a better Liberal and Six Joseph Ward a better Reformer than any of the Labourites or Red Feds, Having thus put the possibilities, there remains the probable, the. most likely thing that will happen: that Mr Massey will call Parliament together next month, and when Parliament assembles —announce his resignation. Sir Joseph AVard then having lormed a. Ministry, his party will have • oelect a Speaker, which will place dm in a minority when Mr Massey -hallenges the new Government. We lave already suggested that the Lamm* Party is iconoclastic. It desires ;o destroy parties. If Mr Massey lien comes before Parliament with mother Ministry, he will probably iave secured from the Governor the ight to a dissolution if he i**, defeated v Parliament. Then we will be again xactly where we aio today—"no -"■IT-ii'der!"