THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1908. MR MASSEY AND COALITION.

Southland Times, Issue 12120, 28 April 1908, Page 2

THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1908. MR MASSEY AND COALITION.

According to the interview recorded in our issue of yesterday Mr Massey “ laughs heartily ” at the suggestion that the party which lie leads should join forces with the more moderate section of the Government following. Thestatement lias appeared in print more than once, although no satisfactory Authority lias been given for it, that s®Ch a proposal was about to be considered. Neither Sir Joseph Ward nor Mr Massey will admit that lie has said or done any thing that could bo construed as an advance witli a view to the discussion of terms. Botli have, in fact, scouted the idea that anything of the kind has ever entered their minds, and in such circumstances it is perhaps hardly necessary to treat coalition as a serious question. But the rumours that have gained currency must have originated somewhere, and we take leave to say that their origin lies in the common sense of the country, to which there is apparent no real necessity why the moderate but progressive members of Sir Joseph Ward’s party and the handful of men who follow Mr Massey should sit on opposite benches. On the contrary, if what Mr Massey says with regard to socialism is true, there are reasons why the two parties mentioned should sit together. According to Mr Massey socialism Is gaining ground and Influence. If so, another party in politics Is certain to appear, and if, when it appears, Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Massey still lead opposite parties, then we shall have repeated in New Zealand that division of the Legislature into three parts which has caused so much trouble in some of the Australian States. Wo do not know exactly what is the nature of the dangers that Mr Massey apprehends

from socialism. The few rash enthusiasts who would launch out upon some socialistic enterprise without cautiously preparing the way for it are never likely to have political power placed in their hands. Mr Jlassey hints that

tlie Government has socialistic tendencies which may imperil the country. Sir Joseph Ward has made it quite plain tli at he realises the danger of giving socialism too free a rein, and wo are quite sure that extremists will receive no encouragement from him. As for the rest, we do not hesitate to say that the great body of opinion in tliis country is socialistic in tendency, and it will become more so as education spreads. Among recent social phenomena none has been more marked tiian the spread of socialism among the educated classes, and not a few of the strongest supporters of the political creed which some imagine to be own brother to anarchy are to be found in the schools and colleges and churches of Great Britain. If the Government proposed to nationalise the iron and steel industry in New Zealand wo do not suppose that Mr Massey would object. We should expect him to favour the proposal, and if lie did not it is absolutely certain that the country would stand behind the Government and not behind him. Socialism is a name that can have no terrors for a country like New Zealand, who has already gone far on the way which older countries have not yet made up their minds to enter. The danger lies with the extremists, with those who are not able to appreciate the wisdom of making haste slowly in this matter. This section of the socialists will become most powerful if socialism and advanced labour together give rise to a new party finite distinct from Government and Opposition, in which case both Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Massey will have to consider whether their own interests ami those of the country do not render a coalition desirable, if not necessary. Mr Massey is probably relying upon tlie results of very careful enquiries when ho anticipates that the results of the forthcoming general elections will strengthen his following. Locally nothing lias occurred to strengthen his view. If his party were politically

strong there would be no lack of opponents for the Government representatives in the Southland constituencies. So far, however, there has been no hint that a supporter of Hr Massey will stand against Mr Hanan for the important seat of Invercargill, while in the country constituencies no Massey candidates have yet announced themselves. The reason is not far to seek. It is not easy for any man to find a clear and vital distinction between the policy of Hr Massey and that of Sir Joseph Ward on which to take his stand. Such a stand might he taken on the question of finance, for the financial policy of the Ward Government is, we believe, positively dangerous to the country. Gut Hr Massey gives no particular prominence to the financial question. Sir Joseph Ward has done nothing to raise the socialistic shibboleth, and so genuine difficulty is experienced, even by those who appreciate the work Mr Massey, has done and admire his many excellent qualities, in finding a platform on which to stand in his interests. The time is not yet ripe for coalition, and at present both Sir Joseph Ward and Hr Massey are probably quite sincere in laughing at the suggestion, but vve shall be very much surprised if political developments do not make coalition a practical question before very long.