The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY. AUGUST 9, 1919.

Gisborne Times, Volume LI, Issue 5245, 9 August 1919, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY. AUGUST 9, 1919.

The electors will, unquestionably, pay a great deal of attention to Mr Massey’s comments . on the political situation. He has spoken out in no uncertain manner and nobody will feel inclined to dispute his contention “that the times are serious and the outlook uncertain.” Maybe his detractors will accuse him of being politically hysterical, but all right-thinking people will welcome Ills remarks—alarming though they are in tenor—on this important matter. If Mr. Massey has erred it is in that he has over-stressed the need, for the removal of the disease which is afflicting the body politic instead of pointing the way, in a more definite manner, to the means which require to be taken to combat the trouble. He confesses that there is a weakness in connection with his appeal that what is necessary is that patriotism and progress should mark' the characters of all who come forward for political service. IVe should say also that, unhappily, not a great- j deal can be expected with reference | to. his plea that party interests must now be sunk in favor of the interests of the nation. If the Liberals had not decided to go to the country at the coming General Elections as a separate party things might have been very different. Mr. Massey’s appeal in this direction has come too late. It would seem that much, however, might non - be done by way also of a direct call upon the nation in this matter, apart from politics altogether. The services of the leaders of public opinion outside the political arena must, therefore, also he enlisted. In this connection the stirring words of His Majesty King George at Leicester recently are most applicable- to the situation

The Dominion's Danger.

which lias nuv. to be faced in prac- 1 tically every country in the world. "The difficulties before us. 1 ' said His ' Majesty, "are many, but the work is worthy of all the energies of a great nation. Every town and dis-

trict, every member of the community, has a part to play and an honorable burden to bear. Only by the unselfish co-operation of all classes can we win victory in peace as we have won victory in war." These kingh words are both wise and true. Tlie future of this Dominion does not by any means altogether depend on the class of men who -'it in Parliament. It is not enough

that there shall be good laws and j honest political adiiiinisptation. The j political slogan: “Equal opportunity j for all" will not avail if the nation j as a whole does not w.ll to translate; It into action. More than ever he- ; fore arises the necessity for personal . example in this matter. Acts of ■ Parliament may tend to curb selfish- j ness—and selfishness may take the form of refusal to give fair measure . (whether it be of commodities or of j services.) a- well as a disposition to , withhold assistance for the common good—but alone fail to stamp it out. > There is. unfortunately, much evi- 1 dence of selfishness—corporate as j well as individual selfishness—even in this fair young land at the present time. We regret to say so, but a widespread motto would appear to ho that of ‘'Everyone for himself.’' What has to he feared to-day more than political turmoil is, undoubtedly, industrial warfare. It is not to i be denied that in respect to the : troubles that are ahead Parliament will need all the help which a. right- ! eons national spirit can afford. Despite wliat we regard as incompleteness in Mr. Massey's utterance we certainly consider that he has done well to bring this important matter before the people of this Dominion. There has been far too great a disposition on the part ol other Cabinet Ministers to remain silent on the critical position of affairs that has arisen. If Mr. Massey succeeds in awakening the public conscience to the lurking danger lie will do well. What is wanted is not violent 1 speeches on the lines of that which } tiie Australian Prime Minister is just reported to have made, hut calm and well-reasoned addresses which would have the effect of preventing additions to the ranks ol ' those who have set their minds on stirring up difficulties and heaping trouble upon trouble.