The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1931. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1931. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

There seems to be general agreement guaged by the conversation of, the man in the street, that the Government of the day is going as well as any other party likely to supplant it. Indeed the Government lias a special asset in the Prime Minister who is winning favour with every party but one, for the general consensus of opinion is that Mr Forbes is a safe and shrewd man for the responsible position 'he occupied. According to all accounts, Mr Forbes is'devoting his talents to leadership alone. Although a general election is looming ahead, it is said that Mr Forbes is • not spending any time studying the changes of the political barometer. He has the special duty of studying the financial barometer, ' and that in itself is duty enough. 'But he had the opportunity recently of meeting a large gathering of representatives of the United Party, and it is interesting to know that despite the general condition of the country, the meeting was one of the most representative held since the days of Mr Seddon’s leadership. Mr Forbes therefore has behind him increasing influential support. The fact, too, that the overtures for a fusion of the United and Reform parties have gone as far as they have, indicates there is a good deal in the proposals, which emanated! at the outset from leading city business people. Mr Forbes took the opportunity of putting forward concrete proposals under which a real fusion could be brought about, and although Reform has declined the overtures, the honours of the situation, are with Mr Fo'rbes, who acted in the typically frank manner which has marked his career as a political leader. There is a growing confidence in his ability to handle the general situation besetting the Dominion. It does not appear to be in the power of any political leader in. any country in the wm'ld to command success with the difficult financial issues of the day. Many leaders can make the position much worse, of which there is an example in Australia. But Mr Forbes may he credited with deserving success, and he is building up his popularity

along those lines. The financial fate ■of the country is of course wrapped up in the prices governing exports, and with the markets depressed as at present, there is nothing much that can lie done at this end to right the position, beyond an adjustment of expenditure to meet the reduced national expenditure. The Government is attempting to do its duty in that respect, unpleasant and unpopular though it be. But the attempt must be made in all earnestne's to avoid the collapse which we see has happened in Australia where the obvious was not done, though expert advice pointed the way. clearly. The immediate future of New Zealand will be helped greatly by a stabilising of political forces fin New Zealand. The present uncertainty of deigning parties does not assist towards publio confidence and that is a factor in the prolonged depression, also, as it is a reason for fusion to assist the quicker in satisfying the public mind and giving a mjore assumed confidence in regard to the stability of sane and sober public administration.