POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17101, 5 March 1919, Page 8

POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS.

THE " PROGRESSIVE" PARTY.

* DIVIDED LABOUR CAMP.

Tho political outlook, in view of tho impending cessation of tho party truce, the nearness of the general election, and the complicated state of patties, continues to engross a large ehara of public attention throughout the Dbraiuion.

A Northern member of Parliament, in discussing ' the ""situation yesterday, said:—"The general feci,. ing is that there will be no platform or propaganda work, and that the party i truce will be observed until the two political i leaders return. The feeling among many members is that the general election will bo hold almost immediately after the • arrival of the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward, probably in July. One reason for the expectation of an early election is tho restive condition of the rank raid file of both the two principal parties, dissatisfaction being freely expressed with what is described as the political stagnation of tho recess." In regard to the proposed now progressive party tho member said that at a well-attended meeting of the adherents of the movement held in Wellington last week reports wore received from the various districts indicating that the idea of a new party, which would 6trike out on bold radical lines, wasi being favour, ably received throughout the Dominion. It was stated that,a number pf»new candidates, who supported the :new movement, Were already offering themselves in various constituencies. It is stated that Vheu the time comes for action the progressive pnety, as a solid entity, will contest a great number of seats'. •There was some suggestion 1&4 week," the member added, "of the formation of another combina. tion, consisting : of some Liberal and some moderate Labour members, but this idea does not appear to have groused much enthusiasm, and is not likely to fructify." Unsatisfactory as the present , position maybe to Reformers and Liberals it appears, to be equally complicated 'from jsne pint,of view of the: Labour Party, •fobich is. split into two sections. On this subject the, member, interviewed stated :~ "' The extremists have given more or less Srtite intimations to the one or ' two oderate Labour men in the House that they must.strike a more extreme note or be prepared for opposition. It seems that, unless the»mojderatv Labourite is prepared to sink his individual views and support the extreme Nsection, Labour is anliksly to present a united |ront in" the coming contest. - The- two old-established parlies thus are not fthe only political seclions that have their internal troubles."