THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15203, 16 October 1919, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

i MR MASfeEY'S MANIFESTO. f Discussing the suggestion contained in. Mr Massey's manifesto that "there j should bo only ono party, a National i Party—and I am not suggesting a name —a party working and held together ; with ono object—that of promoting the i welfare and prosperity of New Zealand," ; the '•Wairnrnpa Age" says:— i The question will immediately be j asked, "Is Mr Massey sincerely anxious to do Way with the demoralising party 1 system, and to create a National Party I having the one object of promoting the i welfare' and prosperity of New Zea- j land?" It is an old axiom that actions J speak louder than words. What is the 1 Prime Minister doing at the present i time? Is he endeavouring to break down the party system? Why are ; meetings of the Reform Party being ] summoned in every electorate to choose 1 candidates for the coming election? Is l all the patriotism and all the love of < country confined to those who designate themselves "Reformers"? Why does he cling to the retrograde system of one man, selecting the Cabinet? Why does he choose for his colleagues men only connected with his own party ? If Mr Massey were a statesman, conscientious- 1 ly desirous of promoting the best inter- ] ests of the country, irrespective of ; pai'ty, he would sacrifice his political 1 ambitions and give his support to candi- s dates Avhose ideals.are similar to his 1 own. Instead of that, he is putting tip ' a Reform candidate in almost every elec- « toratc, with the one object of gaining a £ majority in the House, so that he can < maintain the leadership. , Is this con- i I eistent with the policy he lias outlined i in his manifesto ? '■ Sir Joseph Ward, the paper foes on to i say, committed a grave error of judg- r ment in endeavouring to>resuscitate the < Liberal Party, rather than assist to i [create a Government which would re- c ! present all the sane, moderate, and i patriotic elements in the community. i By his action he has strengthened the i j position of the extremists. But Mr i I Massoy' although disavowing the 1 iniquitous party system, is just as bad. J for he is nominating candidates on strict- l ly party linos from one end of the Do- 1 minion'to the other. How can the coun- I try place confidence in men who act in a < manner diametrically opposed to their i own convictions? Is it too late to bring ] together the best intelligence-of the Do- < minion for the purpose of destroying the ' demoralising party system? We aro i afraid it is. - 1