The N. Z. Mail (PUBLISHED WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY APRIL 6, 1904. IMPERIAL POLITICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1675, 6 April 1904, Page 45

The N. Z. Mail (PUBLISHED WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY APRIL 6, 1904. IMPERIAL POLITICS

The Conservative Government at Home lias passed through the fire, aind is fo>r the present safe, but- not by any means uns core lied. Mr Balfour and his colleagues have, more than most Governments, to thank circumstances for their continualnco in office. Their original towel’ of strength was the Boer war. The country could not then think of any change—firstly, because the management of the campaign could not be disturbed; secondly, because the Liberal party, in the event, of a change, was certain to furnish a very much worse control of all things relating to the war. That the military management of the South African campaign was thoroughly ba,d was the opinion of the great majority of the public of Great Britain, and there was enough in that situation to have killed a stronger Government than Mr Balfour’s. The War Commission, however, came in with the force of the unexpected. By showing conclusively that the incapacity of the British military system was not the work of any one Government more than another, the Commission saved the existing Government from the consequences of its own share in that state of affairs. The Education Act did not kill the Government any more than the war did. for the simple reason that it was difficult to. believe that the noisy people who have reduced passive resistance to the absurd represent the majority of public opinion. The by-elections keep up a ceaseless and cver-increasing note of warning; but as in such case it is always an open question, until “the numbers are. up.,” to decide which of the many precedents quotable by both sides have prevailed, the House did not take much count of the by-elections. Moreover, tho Government has created for • itself a position quite unprecedented in constitutional history. Et is appealing to the constituencies by a manoeuvre that has the appearance of a sider-wincl. Having raised' a real, and, indeed, most momentous issue., it has placed it before the people without responsibility, and, of course, without the preliminary conflict which under the constitution is the only means of setting the constitutional machinery in motion. It has, in fact-, instituted) an indefinitely -prolonged appeal to the. constituencies without leaving office. BenBore the country, the Government really occupies the position of an Opposition which desires change as its qualification for office; in the House, it is his Majesty’s Government- “sitting tight” in spate of all things. Ministers have, in effect, resolved to hold office until they succeed in converting public opinion to a policy about, which they profess that .they are not themselves altogether sure. Will this very remarkable course succeed?. There is no doubt that many

who regal'd the by-elections as the writing on tho wall, which condemns the otuer side to destruction, would be greatly surprised by a Conservative victory. It is nevertheless probable that Mr Chamberlain will win. He has fought one of the most astonishing campaigns on record. The only campaign of our time to which it can be compared is that which Air Roosevelt, as candidate for the Vice-Presidency, fought for the second Prosidlentship of Mr McKinley. Just as Roosevelt captured the whole of the United States, so Chamberlain certainly one time appeared to have captured the whole of Great Britain. The vast- audiences, the tremendous enthusiasm, the popular excitement, and the abiding sense of triumph, are the features common to both these remarkable campaigns. It remains, of course, to be seen whether tho success attained by the American poutioV gladiator will fall also to the lot of the great English master of political controversy. It must be said thatMr Chamberlain deserves to win. He has shown a courage in tackling .the greatest political problem of the times in England that stamps him as a masterful, thoughtful and resourceful statesman. He has tho support of the outlying portions of the Empire, and it will surprise very few people if he should succeed in carrying his party on his back to continued power. Mr Balfour is meantime engaged in the occupation of waiting to see “how tho cut will jump.” Should Air Chambynlain’s campaign end in triumph, the “Pretty Fanny” of Lord Rosebery’s christening will doubtless have no qualms about accepting the fruits of the victory.