The Northern Advocate FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1913. RIVAL PARTIES

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1913, Page 4

The Northern Advocate FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1913. RIVAL PARTIES

Party politics has an amusing aspect at times. Some of the newspapers opposed to the Government are just now affording instance of this and at the same time giving the public a useful lesson upon the value of partisan wrangling. " Where is the Government policy?" they are wildly asking "Why is it not produced?" they demand to know, and answer by sneering observations about the Government being " bankrupt " and " having no policy." A day or two ago these same papers were tearfully denouncing the Ministry for introducing a policy " destructive of the interests of the people" and so forth in that style we all know so well. This is a common trick of the partisan battler of every brand, but it really looks as if the agitated opponents of the Ministrp were rather over-doing things. In 1911 we had a general election, at which the electors returned representatives prepared to endorse the platform of the Reformers. Last year we had a session of Parliament in which the old brigade were thrown out of office bag and baggage, and in which the House proceeded to legislate on the lines promised by the incoming Administration. That session concluded only three months ago, and the policy of the Government finds expression in a Statute Book only just issued. It seems rather early in the day now to be clamouring for more policy. Bills providing for land settlement, the protection of the aged and infirm, defence, education, military pensions, control of the public .service, an increase in the graduated hnd tax, the valuation of land, were passed into law. These represent Government policy of which a further instalment will be forthcoming next session, included in this being an amendment of the Parliaments Act to make the Second Chamber elective. This policy is either good or bad. but to make loud remarks about "no policy" and then shout "mischievous policy " is merely silly, particularly as during the last session of Parliament the painfully disorganised Opposition nearly lifted the roof off the House with their frantic protestation that " Ministers have stolen our measures." In view of all the circumstances it would be very much better for everyone if the disgruntled gentlemen who make so much noise about the Government being without a constructive policy would tell the

distracted electors what the policy of | the other side is. Xo one knew what / it was before the election, and as most of the time since has been spent snivelling over defeat none of us who would judge parties on the merits of their proposals are able to see now.