POLITICS AND PARTIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15918, 2 May 1912, Page 6

POLITICS AND PARTIES.

Betoxp assuring us that wo shall know a great deal more than wo know now about Mr Massey’s capacity as a leader when he is given an opportunity •to form a Ministry, the- “ Otago Daily Times” declines to afford us any information concerning that “strong” and “stable” Government at which it hinted the other day. It tells us that we must recognise “that the Mackenzie Ministry possesses an exceedingly slender hold upon offico ” and “that ito retention in powor would mean a prolongation of those conditions of political instability that are detrimental to the commercial and industrial development of the dominion” : but it does not show how a Massey Ministry would possess a less slender hold upon .office than the present Ministry does nor explain why a change of leaders would improve the commercial and industrial conditions of the country. Its second contention is, of course, a- more matter of opinion and will ho accepted or refected according to the party colour of tho particular individual to whom it is submitted. But we can think of no rearrangement of forces in the present Parliament that’would give Mr Massey a larger majority than the one Mr Mackenzie is likely to command. Tho Liberal and Labour members combined number forty-two while the Reformers number thirt-.v-eight. Sir Arthur Guinness being in tho chair reduces tho LiberalLabour majority to three, and tho Reformers hone that it will be further reduced by desertions from the ranks of tho allies; but even if their most sanguine expectations wore realised their strength and stability would rest upon tho votes of two or three dissatisfied Liberals who would give them no assistance in passing their policy measures and probably would return to their allegiance on the first convenient opportunity. The “ Otago Daily Times” lays stress on tho. fact that tho Reformers are the largest “composite party” in tho House of Representatives and claims that before a dissolution can he granted they must bo given an opportunity to form a Government. “If there is to bo an early dissolution,” it says, arguing from tho constitutional- principle it has laid down for itself , “it will he through an appeal to the country by a Massey Government.” The fact that the Liberal and Labour parties combined are in a majority is to count for nothing. , Mr Massey is to hnvo his “turn” whatever tho country may have said to the contrary, and if the House protests against his retention of office lie may send it about its business and demand another election. No wonder tho leader of the Opposition has such a jealous regard) for tho principles of the Constitution I