POLITICAL SITUATION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10880, 26 April 1929, Page 7

POLITICAL SITUATION

REVIEW BY HON. W. 11. TRIGGS. WHAT AR if THE FUTU RE - ; ; ;, ■

- LONDON. March o. ■ln an article in the March issue.of the National' Review, the Hon. W. 11. Triggs discusses at Jengl.li the ‘‘Political Debacle.in New, Zealand.” The. Krtiylei p’s the most, enlightening statement on the subject that has yet been published in this country. Referring .to- the- ejibice of ‘ Sir Joseph AA'artl ns leader, Mr. Triggs says

It, was like asking a man to take the leadership of a forlorn hope, hut, as the result showed, it was a very move . Sir Joseph was an old political campaigner and' knew every move of the game. Perhaps even more valuable than his experience was what, the Maoris call his “rnana” .—the- prestige attaching to him as a former Prime Minister, a, sound imperialist, and, although his political opponents have- never admitted tile truth cf this attribution, an able financier. As he was known to have large commercial interests himself, tlie lawyers,(merchant's, and others, who had been complaining of “Socialism” on tin; part of Mr. (Mates, and “too much pampering of the farmers,” thought S,ir Joseph would, from their point of view, he a much safer .man to have at the head of the Government. Tlie piuclc of the old warrior, stricken in health, gallantly taking the field again won the admirat on and enlisted the sympathy of a good many.

THE LOAN r-BOrOSALS. Although business men were unable to see how Sir Joseph con'd possibly lend money to. settlers at 42 per cent, without any deficiency to be met by tlie taxpayers, , Mr. Triggs goes on to say-: J With the masses the p-roposal to spend' so much borrowed money evidently proved a powerful hail. They saw in it plenty of employment and a general inflation of values, very acceptable to those desirous of .selling their properties or imbued with a speculative spirit. It was useless for the Reformers to say 1 hat Sir Joseph’s promises could not he carried out, and what was wanted was to continue the present carefid policy. of steady development, tapering oft borrowing, and working earnestly to make New Zealand as nearly ns possible independent of outside borrowing in the future. The .L'7l),06l),000 proved an irresistible lure, and, columned with other causes, brought 'about a complete rout of the Government at the polls. The writer goes on to men I uni a number of other possible causes tor Mr. ( cates’ reverse. He proceeds:— Mr. (Mates met the reverse in the frank, sold'erly fashion which was only .wlmt 1 1 is friends expected of him. hut which excited Ihe openly expressed admiration of Ids political opponents. He called Parliament together at the earliest possible moment. and brought down a Governor's Speech, asking for the dee.sion nr Parliament, in regard to the position which had arisen. When the House met, lie said, very simply, lliaL lie felt no humiliation over the action oi tlio electors. He had done his best, and put up the best fight lie emtld. lie could have put forward some, attractive and alluring ideas, but that had not been Ids concern ; he had thought of the interest oi the country ns a who'o. He was a New Zealander horn and tired ; lie had worked for New Zealand, and would ccmiimo to do so if tlie people .so desired. He would place hiinscJf above party where the interests of the country wore concerned, and he btdioved every gentleman round him would do the same.

THE FUTUEII

As regards the future (Air. Triggs concludes), it will-he seen-that Sir Joseph Ward is holding office on sufferance. He can be pm out at any tme if the Reform and Labor Parties agree to put him out. Such an agreement, however, is not very likely ro lie arrived at. 'I he Labor Party might withhold their support if at any time Sir Joseph Bard refused to pay their price, hut Mr. Coates would he hardly likely to Milov Air. Holland’s lead on such an issue. Probably ■■, the Labor leader is astute enough not to press Ids demands too far. J lie Rolorm Party will, no doubt, vote against measures which they consider epposed lo them principles or not in the country’s interest, lint- the provisions they object to will probably he such as the Labor Party approve. If Sir .Joseph’s health should prove unequal to his continuance in cilice. New Zealand politics vculd again he thrown into the melting-pot. and anything might happen. The most likely outcome would he an amalgamation of the moderate elements in the Reform and United Parties, with Labor once more as the official' Opp <; - s.tion The Labor people are anxious that there shall he only two parties, and would like to see such an amalgamation. If Sir Joseph Marti, who has started off with great elan, can continue- to stand the strain. 1 see no reason why the Ministry, with careful steering, should not continue to: hold office until at any rate the. General Election, wli eh takes place in the ordinary course in 193 j.