AN OUTSIDE VIEW.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8180, 23 July 1912, Page 6

AN OUTSIDE VIEW.

Commenting on the political changcin New Zealand, the 1 'Syd ncy Morning Herald” says;—‘Mr Massey is not a leader who appeals to the popular imagination, and the sort of Administration that he can get together is not likely to command the support cither of the present or of a newly-elected Parliament Mr Massey has been the nominal leader of the Opposition for many years, but it is very doubtful if he would ever have received even a temporary lease of power had not tho old Liberal party, dating hack to tho days of Ballancc and Kod don, shown unmistakable signs of dis-

integration The late leader of the Opposition has never been popular, and he succeeds to office by sheer force of circumstances. He and his friends have waited so long that it almost seems time they' had the chance to show what they can do. But when they were before the country at the last general election they quite failed to put forward any programme which would secure widespread support.” Tho ‘‘Herald" charges the Ward Government with lavish expenditure and with increasing taxation, hut has evidently little faith in the new team. ‘‘Mr Massey can only put a very poor team in the field, and it is not likely to last long, in spite of the very much weakened condition of tho party that has been in power for so many years. The reconstructed Liberal Administration will probably be able to make a successful appeal to the country; more especially as Mr Massey’s party can hardly be said ever to have had a policy. In any casi it was recognised from the start that a House constituted as tho present one is would be unworkable, and its lack of ram of outstanding ability is in very striking contrast with what used to be the case. Any added strength that a fresh election would afford, however, is likely' to help the party so long led by Mr Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward rather than the somewhat heterogeneous section led by Mr Massey."