THE TWO PARTIES

Observer, Volume XXIX, Issue 11, 28 November 1908, Page 2

THE TWO PARTIES

eral Party, but who decline to be bound by considerations of personal loyalty. There were manj r circumstances attendant upon the contest in 1905 which served to intensify the feeling of affection for the late Mr Seddon, and the overwhelming support given to him oould not be regarded, and was not accepted merely as confirming his policy. It was in point of fact a national vindication of his honour.

No such issxie was before the electors this month, and the results are therefore all the more gratifying as an indication that the country is heartily with the Liberal propaganda. So far, then from seeking to make the victory greater than it actually is, the Prime Minister ought to be satisfied to let the figures speak for themselves. Nevertheless he is apparently doing his utmost to make the results tell more for himself than for his policy. Perhaps it would be more correct to say that his friends are doing the work. The Attorney-General is certainly very active, and the Ministerial journals very helpful. Dr. Findlay feels probably that he ought to do something to signalise a campaign in which he lias played no active part, but there is not the same excuse for the newspapers.

Mr Masse y is, or pretendti to I>e, just as jubilant as the other Siue, l)ut he has even less justification. The causes mentioned in the preceding paragraphs have given him what at first sight appears to he additional support, hut the Opposition is not a foot nearer to the realisation of its dream, which is the installation of a Ministry formed from the occupants of its front and second benches. Some of its more important memlvers have grown weary of the long fight, and it is doubtful whether the new recruits are up to the old standard. There have been no conversions within Parliament. On tVie contrary there have been defections. A couple of years ago Mr Tom Mackenzie was reckoned amongst Mr Massey's probable Ministerial colleagues, while Mr Jennings was believed to he in the balance. The Opposition, in truth, whatever the Leader and his friends may say, has not " firmed." Mr Massey professes he has grown greatly, just as Sir Joseph believes, or affects to believe that many inches have been added to his stature, whereas the fact is that the growth is confined to the public sense of what the country wants. The teaching of the election is that the people, while firmly attached to the policy of progress, are awakening to the need for greater prudence in administration.

And the Personal Equation

THE tendency to exaggerate results is quite remarkably characteristic of both the groat public parties. Sir Joseph AYard, with every reason in the world to be perfectly satisfied, cannot resist the temptation to magnify his vi-ctorics. In the natural order of events he would, as a practical statesman and a man of the world, know that the pendulum action in politics is inevitable. His party has enjoyed an exceptionally long tenure, of office, and though it owe* its success to the high merit of its legislative and administrative performances, it cannot hope to be for ever the idol of the public. A prudent Minister, who divests himself of illusions, knows, too, that there are dangers from within a party as well as from without, and that the former are more readily created when a party is abnormally bulky. A good working majority, balanced by a vigorous Opposition, provides the healthiest conditions.

The elections have returned a large Government majority, larger perhaps than Sir Joseph expected, if no larger than he deserves. But it is worthy of observation that in several instances the Ministerial candidate returned has not been the choice of the Cabinet. The facts point to the existence in the country of a growing body of electors who recognise the good work of the Lib-