The Daily News THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1925. THE VERDICT.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1925, Page 8

The Daily News THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1925. THE VERDICT.

It should be with feelings of I much relief that the majority of | the electors of the Dominion will receive the welcome news of the Government’s great victory at. the polls yesterday. The main issue which was before the country was of vital importance to its future well-being, and the people are to be congratulated on realising the vital necessity that New Zealand should be freed from the dangers of reactionary legislation and be assured of a strong, stable and reliable administration under the leadership of a Prime Minister who has proved his ability and driving force, a man of sterling qualities and sound principles, while whole-heartedly devoted to advancing the progress and prosperity of the Dominion, as well as the best interests of every section of the community. The political situation had reached a critical position, by reason of the Reform Government being without a safe working majority. Yesterday’s verdict has removed that obstacle to good government and placed .in power the party which may be relied upon to safeguard the privileges the country now enjoys and to place the Dominion in a position to resist successfully the disruptive and dangerous onslaughts of the Labour extremists. The verdict will probably be regarded in the Homeland with a feeling of much satisfaction, following as it does that whereby the electors of the United Kingdom gave such a crushing blow to Labour at the last election, and incidentally reduced the strength of the Liberals to a harmless level. There will now be a fair chance for the Reform Government to strengthen its personnel, and to enter upon a new era of sound,, progressive legislation and prudent finance designed to lighten the burdens of the taxpayers and to lessen the cost of living. A strong Government, under a courageous and practical leader, is what the Dominion needs, and the people have provided that with commendable zeal. The strenuous campaign carried out by Mr. Coates has borne good fruit, and it will now be expected of him that the country will reap the advantages of the practical programme which he laid before the electors. All ideas of fusion may now be relegated to obscurity. The need has ceased to exist. For the next three years at least Mr. Coates and his supporters will be on trial, and they will be judged upon their achievements. The first requisite is the reconstruction of Cabinet, which contains several weak elements. The Prime Minister will now have a wider range of men to choose from, and not be dependent for the existence of his Government upon one or two men, as in the past. The country has taken him at his word, and trusts him to do his best on behalf of the Dominion. Thus he has a great opportunity, one that conies to few men in political life, and that he will rise to the occasion many will be confident and all will sincerely hope. Many prominent legislators have gone down in the fight; others have returned, including Sir Joseph Ward, whose presence in the House should prove of great value and be generally welcome. The new members are of tlie right kind, and inspired by a desire to give of their best to the Dominion in this, a critical period of its history. Altogether, electors have reason to be grateful that the elections have resulted in the manner they have, and for the prospect of having a strong and stable Government to rule over the country’s destinies for the ensuing three years.