AS OTHERS SEE US

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8365, 27 February 1913, Page 6

AS OTHERS SEE US

It is quite natural that the wealthy squatters of Australia, though they have been ousted from power in their own country, should be highly delighted at the triumphant seizure of place and power by their party in New Zealand. That was a foregone conclusion, and it was scarcely necessary for the local squatters’ organ to quote from the “Pastoralists’ Review,” the mouthpiece of the great land monopolists of the Commonwealth, on this . point. However, the sentiments of the “Pastoralists’ Review” are interesting and instructive at the present moment. Here they are:— One has only' to travel through. New Zealand to become aware of the fact that a restful calm pervades the political arena of the Dominion. The conflicting winds which characterised the latter years of the AVord Administration have died away and a tranquil atmosphere of sincerity and common sense now exists. The old party has practically disappeared from the arena; there is n» recognised leader of the Opposition j in fact, it is hard to find a party of that name in the House. Mr Massey and his able team are firmly entrenched, and ore likely to remain in office for many years to come. Is it not lovely? But the restful calm that the squatters of Australia find bo comforting and reassuring, and which may be prompting them to cherish hopes of a similar triumph in their own country, may after all be merely the ominous calm that precedes the political storm. The sincerity and common-sense that are said to prevail are, of course, the sincerity and common-sense of the squatters and the land monopolists. This, however, Is not the only sincerity or common-sense in New Zealand. The squatters may possess a monopoly of the land, but they do not possess a monopoly ’ of either the sincerity or the commonsense. It may be true, as the Australian squatters’ organ says ; that there is no leader of the Opposition in New Zealand. That, however, is a mere circumstance. AVhen the occasion arises, the man. will be found, and Liberalism in New Zealand is not yet destitute of leaders. The great blunder that the “Pastoralists’ He. view” makes, and the wish is evidently father to the thought, is that it would be hard to find an Opposition party in our House. If this were only true, the squatters of New Zealand would sleep more comfortably of nights. They certainly know it is not true. There is an Opposition in the House—a very strong Opposition —and when the division bell rings for the first time next session it will be realised that it is a compact and staunch Opposition. Even the political “rats,” now that the session is approaching, are beginning to wear a furtive and worried look.