THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1909. POLITICAL NOMENCLATURE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3118, 18 February 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1909. POLITICAL NOMENCLATURE.

Although superficial observers may be inclined to attach small importance,to the names by which political parties designate themselves, experience proves that nomenclature in politics exercises an influence that no party leader can afford to ignore or remain wholly indifferent to. It gives a distinct character and individuality to parties, and crystallises in a single word their ideals and aspirations, their purpose and policy. "Whig" and "Tory," though now terms which nave lost their true significance and nearly all their f<jrce in the changed conditions of party warfare, were once names to conjure with, and once divided the people of England into two great

rival political camps. In New Zealand, since the battle of provincial- ! ism was fought, more than thirty years ago, political parties cannot be said to have carried on their escutcheons any de.inite and distinguishing name. They have been identified as "Ministerialists" and "Oppositionists," terms which only differentiate between those in power and those not of power. So far as the present Opposition are concerned this unsatisfactory state of things has now been brought to an end. Henceforth the nartv led by Mr Massey will be known as tne "Reformers." It is a name that occupies an honoured and prominent place in the political history of England, and although the reforms required in'our own country [do not stir the public mind as it was stirred in the Mother Country in the middle of the Jait century they are both necessary and urgent. Commenting on the matter the Auckland "Herald" says that no one who has devoted serious attention to political affairs in New Zealand wili deny that abuses of a grave kind have crept into o.n- legislative and administrative methods. In almost every direction—in the cost of government, in the Civil Service, in the construction of public works, and in the allocation of national expenditure—there exists pressing need for improvement and change. Ministerial patronage has become a menace to the efficiency of ; the public services, and Ministerial policy is too often shaped and moulded not in the true interests of the country as a whole, but rather to catch votes and conciliate party coteries. The new Reformers have [ thus an ample field before them for ' the carrying on of their campaign. Moreover, the time is ripe for the vigorous prosecution of opsrations, and the Reformers enter upon their ■ task with the approval and encouragement of a gr«.w ; ng public opinion.