The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1911. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Southland Times, Issue 16841, 18 September 1911, Page 4

The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1911. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Although nothing startling is happening in politics the political situation is full of Interest. The Government’s position up to the time of Sir Joseph Ward’s return was undoubtedly Weak and it was becoming weaker. In the Prime Minister’s absence it was proved beyond doubt that he is absolutely necessary to his party. The speeches made by Ministers in the recess furnished ample evidence that no other member of the Government could retain the support of the country, while the proceedings of Parliament in the month of August demonstrated the inability of any other Minister to lead the party. Sir Joseph Ward’s Government is a Government of one man, and with the possible exception of Mr Millar, members of his own party are not satisfied with his colleagues. Sir Joseph Ward himself is somewhat at a loss, for no one realises more sharply the difference in strength, in fighting power, and in weight in the country., between his Ministry 'and those which Included Mr Seddon, Sir John McKenzie, and himself. The Prime Minister would be immensely relieved if he could find among his followers a Seddon or a McKenzie. He is holding the portfolio if Lands because there Is no one to whom he is willing to entrust it. He is delaying the appointment of Mr Fowlds’ successor because there are a numuer of claimants to the position, none of' whom is of outstanding ability. Shortly he will have Sir John Findlay’s resignation in his hands, and his Cabinet will be further weakened. The elements of

weakness exist not only in the Cabinet but in the party ajso. Mr Fowlds is not the only member who is dissatisfied with the party’s achievements in recent years. There is a lassitude and indifference and a want of cohesion in the party, to say nothing of a lack of enthusiasm, that suggest disintegration. It is significant that no caucus of the party has been held, and that members do not care whether - a caucus is held or not. They have not been taken into the Prime Minister’s confidence with regard to his intentions, and .they profess, to be wholly indifferent on that point also. There is, therefore, ground for thinking that nof only did the Government’s position in the country weaken considerably in the Prime Minister’s absence, but also that the party lacks the enthusiasm and the unity without which success at the polls is difficult to attain.

Mr Fowlds has not made the position any better for his party by his resignation, or by his speeches ’ since that date. He was very inconsiderate, and as a Government follower very inconsistent, when he declared himself ready to associate with “a truly Democratic Party,” or to take a seat in a truly Democratic Ministry. He did not assist Sir Joseph Ward when, as a retiring Minister, he gave it as his opinion that the Government has lost command of its party. The speech he made in -the House just after his resignation was announced opened the door of the cupboard and made the skeleton within visible, and while there have been professions of friendship on both sides we may take it that Sir Joseph Ward lies under no sense of gratitude to Mr Fowlds.. At Auckland the other day Mr Fowlds showed that he was not at ail disposed to make things easier for the Government. Speaking to an interviewer he said that he “would' like to see the reorganisation of the Liberal party on a more Democratic basis.” He went on to point’.out, that the Government and inembers of Parliament for the time being did not constitute the Liberal party, that the party consists really of that large section of the community which holds liberal and democratic views. Mr Fowlds could not have said more plainly that in his opinion the present Government and party are out of touch with their supporters in the country and no longer represent them. “There is,” Mr Fowlds continued, “always a danger of a party after long years of prosperity and dominance losing sight of its fundamental principles. It naturally attracts to its bench all sorts of people who hope to gain something from the party in power. . ■. .What we want to do is to get back to the fundamental principles formulated by Sir George Grey and Mr Ballance, the founders pf the Liberal Party in New i Zealand. Their principles are capable of almost indefinite extension, and with adaptation tb modern conditions would solve many of our pressing social problems.” Mr Fowlds has become quite too candid, and it is not surprising to find the Lyttelton Times warnirig him that if he is not careful “he will find himself giving much more assistance in the approaching campaign to the Oppbsition than to. the party of progress, whether Liberal or Labour or a combination of both.” It will be seen that the circumstances of the Government are calculated to embarrass those who lead it. The only strong feature in "the situation is the outstanding ability and fighting force of the party leader. Before Sir Joseph Ward left the ship at Wellington he showed a bold front to the enemy and began to hit hard. Confidence and strength in a leader impart themselves to the followers, and Sir Joseph Ward has shown time and again that he can strengthen party bonds which are becoming frail, that he can give new hope to those who are inclined to despair, and that he can displace timidity by some of his own courage. The Budget of 3,911 will stand as a tour de force. Government followers who were beginning to wonder what kind of a position they would be in when they faced their constituents must have realised after the Financial Statement was ready that with a copy of it-.in their pockets they could take the platform with a smile. Sir Joseph Ward’s return was the first factor which strengthened the Government’s position and his Budget was the second. As to the Opposition it has undoubtedly made progress, and its leaders have received so many assurances in all parts of the. Doriiinion that they are warranted in claiming that the party never stood better in the country than It does to-day 1 . The weakness of the Opposition lies just where the strength of the Government lies in its leadership. Unfortunately for themselves those at the head of the Opposition have a record in relation to the progressive legislation on the Statute Books—legislation which they themselves say they would not repeal—that will not bear investigation. Perhaps no man should be condemned merely on account of his past, but their opponents will never allow the country to forget how the Opposition leaders voted with respect tb advances to settlers, old age pensions and other legislative proposals of that kind. Still, the Opposition has announced a strong and attractive platform, and that platform will be supported by candidates in nearly every constituency in the Dominion. It will be seen that the political situation is full of uncertainty. On both sides there are elements of weakness and element.*, of strength, and only a very bold man would venture at this stage of the campaign even to outline the probable result of the polls