"STAGNATION."

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15921, 6 May 1912, Page 6

"STAGNATION."

The northern journal which tells its readers that the "extraordinary incapacity" of tho Liberal Governments has brought about "the present stagnation of our national progress " surely cannot have realised the full meaning of its words. Abuse of political opponents is a part of the party game as it has been played of late—a very sorry part—and the reflection upon the men who have controlled the dominion's affairs may be allowed to pass. But the suggestion that New Zealand is in a condition of "stagnation" is simply preposterous. Evidences of progress are to be seen on every hand. Our population is growing more rapidly than that of any other dominion of the Empire except Canada, our trade is expanding rapidly, our State revenue is increasing year by year, and the people of town and country are prosperous. There does not seem to be one department of the national life where no advance is being mado and an implication of general failure comes strangely indeed from a newspaper that seldom loses an opportunity to tell of the wonderful development that is taking place in Auckland province. We are almost driven to believe that our contemporary had in mind the lot of its political friends and not the condition of New Zealand at all.