The Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1919. END OF THE COALITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12726, 22 August 1919, Page 4

The Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1919. END OF THE COALITION.

The end of the National Government provided a dramatic political sensation for the public to-day. We must confess that the breach came sooner than we expected, though we were convinced, that it was inevitable. The position which has been created is a peculiar one. The House is to meet towards the end of the present month, and that will leave the Prime Minister a week in which to form a new Ministry and prepare a legislative programme. It may he assumed that the Liberal Ministers will adopt the action of their leader, and resign their portfolios. Under the circumstances it is not likely that the next sesyon will bo a tong one. The break up of the Coalition at this stage is bound to create much discussion, and the argument may he advanced that Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues should have seen the session through before parting company with the Reform Ministers with whom they have been associated during the past four years in the National Cabinet. The ( statement made by Mr Massey, however, shows that the development did not take him by surprise, and he makes little or no complaint about the action of the Liberal leader. It is a fair assumption, therefore, that the leaders had come to the conclusion that it was not advisable for the National Government to meet the House, in view of the certainty of a rupture at no distant date. As far as the public is concerned there will be no regrets at the passing of the National Government, It was brought into being to perform a specific purpose during the war period. The war has ended, peace has been signed, and the task of the National Cabinet, which was to direct the war effort of New Zealand, hao been completed. "While the Government did splendid work in this connection, it would be idle to deny that in regard to matters of domestic policy the Government has shown an astounding lack of activity, and that this has resulted in dissatisfaction and discontent becoming rampant. Largely through the ineptitude of the Government the Dominion is confronted with a series of • problems which will tax the statesmanship and capacity of any leader or party. The policy statement issued by Sir Joseph Ward will he read with interest by all classes of the community. We do not propose to discuss it in detail at present, but we believe that it is the most progressive programme which has been put before the people of the Dominion for many years. Its proposals are in sympathy with the progressive political thought of the day, and after the stagnation of the past few years it is refreshing to see the leader of a powerful party coming forward with such definite and timely reforms. It v is a programme which will find enthusiastic support in Liberal and moderate Labour circles, and we can imagine that Labour extremists will feel some chagrin at its radical and comprehensive nature. We have always held that the capacity of the Liberal Party for progressive legislation and sound reform had not been exhausted, and the policy which the leader has put forward is a fine confirmation of that view.