The Otago Witness. (TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1919.) THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3429, 2 December 1919, Page 39

The Otago Witness.

(TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1919.) THE WEEK.

WITH WHICH Is} INCOBFOIUTED THE SOL'THEBN MEBOUBT".

"Nunquam allud Datura, alius Baplentla dixit"* ''StP 0 * n * tarft * n * Boo* Bcn*» mut erer join."**

As the General Election approaches the likelihood of an indecisive Probabla outoome beoomea more and Politloal more apparent; the root Alliances. jreason of the indecision being • the absence of straight out issues to be placed before tn© electors. While the utmost ingenuity tails to discover any - definite line of cleavage between the Reform and Liberal Parties—save that which is created by the personal jealousies of the respective party leaders—there is a distinct agreement between the followers of Mr Massev and most of .those of Sir Joseph Ward that at all hazards 'the extreme Labour! represented by the candidates selected-by the official Labour Party— must not be placed in the position of holding the balance of power in the new Parliament. And 'fco this unwritten but understood agreement, a number of Moderate Labour ■ candidates, together with the majority of the Independent candidates have set their sign and -their seal. "The position thus revealed makes possible quite a variety of interesting political alliances should the polling fail to give a working majority to either the Reform or the Liberal Party. The Premier's appeal is for the return of a sufficient number of Reform candidates as to make it possible for the present Government to carry on the business of the country without the aid or assistance of any independent or other brand of members. Inasmuch as some 59 or 60 candi-. dates are standing in the Reform interests, there remains the tfossibility that Mr Massey may have a following in a majority of the 76 European electorates. In like manner Sir Joseph Ward has expressed the hope that as a result of the polling Liberalism may emerge triumphant, to which end no fewer than 60 pledged' Liberal candidates are wooing the suffrages of the electors; in addition a large number of other candidates have attracted to themselves the label of Liberalism with such qualifying adjectives as ProgressiveLiberals, Independent-Liberals, ModerateLiberals, and Liberal-Labourites; such candidatures, if persisted in to polling day, must naturally have the effect of splitting the Liberal vote in a number of constituencies. Although the leaders of the official Labour. have disclaimed ' all,hope of securing an absolute majority in the new Parliament, and are lending their efforts in the direction of holding the balance of power, there remains the '■ fact that in 48 out of the 76 electorates, . an official Labour candidate is seeking election. But in a number of cases the Labour vote is likely to be split, as wit-, ness the appearance of candidates who designate themselves as representatives of' Independent-Laboui*, Moderate-Labour, Democrats, Moderate-Democrat's, and Liberal-Labour. On the top of all this comes an armv of some 20 to 30 candidates, who, whatever their known or suspected party proclivities, are announcing themselves simply as Independents without any party ties. It will at once be - apparent that probabilities point to the failure of either of the existing political parties—for in this connection official Labour may well be left out of the calculation—'to secure a working majority; In which event all sorts of alliances or coalitions may be expected to. be attempted in the endeavour to establish a stable and satisfactory form of government. Whatever complexion these alliances or coalitions may ultimately assume, the real struggle will centre around a single and all important issue—viz., whether or no the Labour extremists, with their revolutionary ideas will be in a position powerful enough to enable them to dictate terms and bo dominate the political situation. / ■ ■

Mr Massey has made very clear his . position and the position of Mr Massey the Reform Party in .refexr and Sir ence to the policy of exJoseph Ward, treme Labour. He is out, as he declared at Queenstown, "to oppose the rising tide of Bolshevism" and he has unequivocally stated that he will not remain in office for five minutes if his remaining in office depends on the support of the Parliamentary Labour Party. Mr Massey apparently makes a distinction between the "Parliamentary Labour Party" as typified by the five Labour members who occupied seats " hi f the last Parliament and the "official Labour Party" to whose platform no fewer than 50 candidates stand pledged, since the Prime Minister is emphatic,in his* asservation that the "Parliamentary Labour Party" is "not representative of the wage-earners of the Dominion." He bases his argument for this declaration almost entirely upon tlhe attitude taken up by Messrs Holland, P. Fraser, Semple, M'Combs, and Walker in regard to the question of conscription and the conduct of the. war. Speaking at Riverton Mr Massey asked the pertinent question "When the best blood of the Dominion was beinar poured'out in the defence of the Empire, did any member Labour Party lift a single fin per to help their fellow citizens" ; and he added, "The manifesto sent by the Labour Party to Australia against conscription was one of the most disgraceful documents ever sent , out of the oourrhw." Mr Massey further stated that "never, so lone as he lived." would he forgive the want of patriotic action shown by the Labour Party, and speaking, at Queehstown, < he asked the question, "Were the people going to'allow-....

that party to hold the balance of power In this country during the period of reconstruction upon which it had entered?" Upon the answer to this question the Prime Minister Btakes tlhe issue of the election in so far as the future of the Reform Party is concerned; that is to say he places the question of patriotism in the forefront, and because of tho Reform Party's services in the National Government in this respect he invites a renewal of the confidence of the .people in . the present Government. At the same time, he seeks to discredit Sir Joseph Ward and the Liberal Party by charging, his political opponent with coquetting with the revolutionary elements in the Dominion which are making for Bolshevism, pointing out the danger which would arise should Sir Joseph Ward link hands with Mr Holland in order to seize the reins of government. The Prime Minister quoted the statement made by Mr Walker, the official Labour candidate for Dunedin North,-that Labour was ready io co-operate with the Liberals m opposing the Reform Government; together with Mr Scrapie's statement that his partv is willing to join with Sir Joseph Ward's, party in ousting the Massev Government, provided the Liberal Party will accept the Labour Party's platform. Inasmuch as Sir Joseph Ward has adopted a large part of the Labour pro_ gramme, including the nationalisation of the coal mines, the prospect of a LiberalLabour combination is not. so remote « contingency as might otherwise oe supposed.

The growing complexity of the political situation received striking* m.. i m K.itt illustrated in a speech d»States livered by Mr L. M. Isitt,. an Issue. -who is seeking re-election for the Christchurch North seat. Mr Isitt who is a pledged follower of Sir Joseph Ward, is also an but and out denunciator of the Extreme Labour Party; indeed, his fulminations against the disloyal and unpatriotic conduct of Messrs Holland, P. Eraser, Semple, and company, leaves Mr Massey far in the shade. Mr Isitt 3tated that he had heard with his own ears Sir Joseph Ward declare that he would not hold office at the mercy of Extreme Labour, and in reply to a question Mr Isitt proceeded to explain in detail what his own action in the matter would be, were he sent back to Wellington. It was impossible, he asserted, to prevent Extreme Labour votings with the Liberal Party in the event of a vote of no-confi-dence in the Massey Government being proposed, but supposing that only by the aid of the votes of Extreme Labour Mr Massey could be turned out of office, Mr Isitt declared that he would not so vote. Only if the Liberal Party went back with a clear working majority would he vote against the Massey Government, and this because he should, as a pledged supporter of Sir Joseph Ward, but he would a dozen times rather see the Reform Party in power than see the Parliamentary Labour Party ruling the political roost. The weak point in Mr Isitt's statement of the position is that until the vote was actually taken on a vote of confidence motion, it would be impossible to say in which way that vote would be likely to go. It is safe to assume that a considerable number of candidates will be returned "absolutely unpledged to any party or committed to any precise political platform. In which case it will not be until a vote of no-confidence in the present Government is actually tabled and taken that the , political situation will develop and an Idea. be formed of possible eventualities. V It id well, therefore, that in their support of any of the candidates the electors should keep in mind one or two undispntable facts, the first of which is that the return of a majority of members pledged to the Reform Party will of itself be sufficient to secure a stable government and to banish every opportunity of the Dominion being committed to the hair-brained schemes of a few Labour fanatics and extremists. The second fact to be kept well to the front is that failing a Reform majority, the return should be aimed at of as. many Independent men who have leanings towards Reform, men of undoubted honesty, of purpose, and sincerity of character of whom Mr W. Downie Stewart and Mr Statham are capital types. Inasmuch as Labour must, and should, have a say in the Government of the country, it is desirable that the new Parliament should include a sprinkling of -sane Labour members,. men able and willing to work in perfect accord and agreement with the • more aggressive spirits in the Reform Party Thus character as well, and probably to a greater degree than mere party proclivities, seems likely to sway the'choice of the electors; should this eventually spell the abandonment of the traditional forms of Party warfare in favour of a policy of general welfare, so much will have been gained in the political

The chaotic condition of European affairs is vividly reflected in the Chaos Continues character of the cablegrams In Europs. appearing from day to day. In Russia, the Bolshevists on the one hand, and the forces under Generals Denikin and Koltchak on the other, continue to fight and strive, the while accusing one another of the most astounding barabarities. Thus General .Deniken's reports of the religious persecutions, under the Bolshevist regime, with allegations of torture and outrage passing description, are paralleled by accounts 01 Koltcbak'a coup d'etat a year ago when he "murdered in person the members o p the Constituent Assembly from Whom he originally received his power and created a military tyranny which has governed Siberia from thr.t time enward." Among the "Army Order" issued by Koltchak In support of this martial law, the following has been cited: "Take hostages from action hostile to the Government troops by the inhabitants of a village, shoot the hostages without mercy." Which recalls ©f the Bolshevists in Russia; yet Koltchak is the ally of Great Britain, and

t-eoolves the , endorsement and support of Mr Winston (Jhurchill. The outcome of Koltchak's regime is thus described on unimpeachable authority: "Originally Siberia was hostile to Bolshevism. The population is entirely peasant and Cossack. It rose spontaneously against Bolshevism and warmly supported the Czechs. But now the whole region is simmering with what is called "Bolshevism"—that io to say with antagonism and armed revolt against the hideous counter-revolutionary tyransy of Koltchak." There is a crisis in Italy owing to the nesting at tlhe polls of a Social olement animated by revolutionary sentiments ; and in Germany a recrudescence of Kaiserism is reported. Marshal Foch thinks little of the League of Nations and insists upon the duty of France to'remain under arms as a protection against the design of Germany. Great Britain _ is engrossod in the settlement of pressing economic problems, while America is face to face with ecer-growing labour troubles. In Egypt, the important question of complete independence is agitating the entire East; indeed everywhere the eye turns there are symptoms of an inrush of a wave of unrest. The year 1919 began with the happiest, hopes of the dawn of a day of peace, it seems likely to set upon a world at Avar with itself in wp! l nigh every department of activity, and in almost every region of thought. There are signs that the New l:par will witness some of the most remarkable and farreaching developments yet known to history. /His Excellenoy the Governor-general, who left Wellington last week on the Government steamer Tutanekai for a tour round the South Island, will pay a visit to the West Coast Sounds, and is expected to arrive in Invercargill next Friday. His Excellency will proceed,, to Queenstown on Saturday, spend a week-end there,, and leave for Dunedin on Monday. On the morning of Tuesday, the 9th inst., His Exr cellenoy will go on to Christ-church, and remain there for some time. The Right Hon. Mr Massey (Prime Minister), accompanied by his private secretary (Mr F. D. Thomson) left Dunedin yesterday morning for Waimate, where he was to give a public address last evening. After speaking in different centres in the Oamaru district, Mr Massey will go to Christchurch on Thursday. He will i-each Wellington on Saturday morning, and leave by the Main Trunk train the same day for Auckland. The exhibition of paintings and other art work held under the auspices of the Otago Art Society, at the society's rooms, Art Gallery, was brought to a close* on Saturday evening. It was the most successful from. every point of view, and especially as regards attendance and cales, while the quality of the work done is equal to the best ever shown by the society. The t zeal, knowledge, and attention displayed by the secretary (Mr R. H. Neilson) have contributed in no small degree to the success of *hc exhibition. The following resolution was carried at a meeting of the Otago branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants hold, on Sunday afternoon: —"That this meeting of the Otago branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants calls on the Government to relieve the pressure that the high cost of- commodities is imposing on the members of the second, division of the railway service, by granting the request of our executive for an increase in wages of two shillings per day. We also consider that the time has arrived when the rank and file of tho service should have a voice in its management and control." The total number of births in Dunedin City and suburbs for the month of November was 131, while the number of deaths totalled 77, and marriages 70. During the month of November, ISIB, the number of births was 116, deaths 240, and marriages 22. The troopship Thigoma, which was to leave England for New Zealand on November 21, has 311 returning soldiers and 112 wives on board. The Ruapehu, which was expected to leave England on the Ist, is the very last troopship to be engaged on tho work of repatriating New Zealanders, and the few N.Z.E.F. men that still remain in the Old Land will be sent out as passengers as accommodation is available. The Ruapehu has 150 men and 130 wives on board, A Wellington Press Association telegram states that the German mine which came ashore at the mouth of the Mokau River was destroyed at 6 a.m. on Thursday. Reports received by tho Naval Adviser state that the horns and other vital parts were broken off, that the mine was almost buried in the sand, and that' it had been in tho position in which it was found for some considerable time. A magisterial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding tho Karori's mishap will be opened at the Magistrate's Court at 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning. The assessors will be appointed in due course. It is understood that Captain G. H. Hopkins, the master of the Karon, will be represented by Mr A. C. Hanloh. An inquest was heid at the morgue at 'lO o'clock en. Sunday morning on the body of a iiewiy-I)orn child. Mr 11. Y.. Widdcwson, S.M., acted as coroner, and the police were represented by Chief-detective Bishop. It appeals that the mother of tho child, a single woman, 23 years of age, was employed as a domestic servant at a residence in Queen's drive, Musselburgh. She gave birth to the child early on Friday morning, and was afterwards removed to a maternity homo. Dr Batchelor gave evidence that he received an urgent telephone message at 4 o'clock on Friday morning from a residence in Queen's drive, where he saw tho girl, who, on examination, he found recently to have given birth to a child. In answer to his question the mother said that the child was in a cupboard in the room, and there he found the dead body of a newly-born baby. Detective' Hall gave formal evidence aa to taking the body to

the morgue. The coroner then adjourned the inquest sine die. Professor Drennan made an examination of the body on Saturday morning, and his evidence will be taken when the inquest is resumed. The following resolution was unanimously carried at a meeting of the Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers' Association:—"That this section enters an emphatic protest against the Government's action in not, at once paying the war bonus undoubtedly promised by Sir Joseph Ward, and to .the referring of the matter to an outside adjudication, cceing that it is admitted by prominent members of Cabinet that the promise was given. In regard to the minute of Cabinet, which is being used in tho attempt to avoid payment, and which states that tho bonu s will not be paid if the officers receive increases, we desire to point out that, had reclassification not taken place, a majority of the officers would have received increments of salary, and, also, that a large majority of officers did not receive such increments as should bring then- salary to the maximum to which the last war bonus was paid—namely, £330."