A NEW PARTY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 75, 14 March 1923, Page 3

A NEW PARTY.

WHAT IS BARRING UNION? The folloAving article contributed by Wm. Stevenson, President, Liberal Association, Southland, appeared in the “Otago Daily Times” on February 26th:— ' The end of the recent session of Parliament has not by any means cleared the political confusion into which New Zealand has been allowed;’ to drift. This is a matter for universal regret. No matter to which party any reasonable citizen subscribes, a feeling of disappointment at and of disapproval of the existing political condition is apparent. It was gener-

ally anticipated that before the close of the session every effort, on wide patriotic lines, would be made by the two main parties in the House (Reform and Liberal) to become a powerful and efficient party, having for its foundation the special policy of reconstruction, betterment, and stability so urgently essential in the in- ; terests of the whole of the people of New Zealand. Before the opening of i Parliament there were encouraging indications of a movement in the dir--1 ection indicated, and the great mass of the people looked forward with i some hope towards the realisation of such a desired end. It is becoming however, increasingly evident that

the failure, or neglect, to give effect to the first national requirement of the hour, has caused widespread disappointment and the electors naturally await precise information with more than ordinary interest. Apparently some discussion has taken place betAveen members of both parties, but so far the people are kept in ignorance of the nature of such discussion. They have a right to knoAv what attitude is actually being taken up by those whom they have sent to Parliament to represent them. It is a fact beyond dispute that no party in the House, in its present state, can satisfactorily carry on the Government of this country; and the position urgently demands an efficient remedy. INFORMATION DESIRED. The result of any discussion, so far ■ as Ave are able to ascertain, is perfectly worthless in relation to any solution of the present political tangle. There must, undoubtedly, be some reason for the failure to come quickly to a sound understanding. In such a national predicament as exists today the people therefore have ’ the right to know the following:—(1) What was the nature of any negotia- ; tions between members of the Reform i and Liberal Parties (2) Was the ] formation of a new party discussed? < (3) If so, was there any discussion 1 as to the formation of a new policy? 1 (4) If there Avas any such discussion, Avhat were the planks (a) mutually approved of and (b) not approved of? (5) Who was, if anybody, suggested as

Prime Minister of such neAv party and for what reason? (6)%Why conld the parties not arrive at an agreement ? Enlightenment on these points should not he Avithheld from the public, which has every justification for demanding to know what is the cause of the failure to agree and of the consequent political deadlock. It is beyond doubt a matter for national consideration. and the people are entitled to be made aware of the actual facts so that they may know what are the obstacles in the way of agreement, and Avho or Avhat is responsible for placing impediments in the way of the establishment of a new party. Is the Avav to the formation of a neAv party with a definite, strong national policy, such as the country is insistently calling for, barred by the mere political ambitions of some politicians to retain certain offices or the mere political ambitions of other politicians to obtain these offices? Is it the case of small political minds playing for positions, on mere narrow issues, in a predicament that demands honesty of purpose, Intelligence, and action without fear, favor, or prejudice, and distinctly Avithout regard to personal or political advantages? ABSENCE OF FRANKNESS. The position in reality is fast be.coming intolerable, and there appears much that calls for prompt explanation. Hoav much longer is the existing state of political inefficiency to go on? What need is there for the apparent “subterranean” methods and absence of frankness in regard to this matter Avhich is of such unwersal concern? Would it be anything but political egotism to suggest that such methods are other than a disgrace to the djgnity of government and an insult to the intelligence of the people? As I pointed out in a previous communication, the situation calls for higher and genuinely patriotic methods which, I am convinced, every good citizen Avould rejoice to see realised. We are naturally anxious to ascertain Avhat is responsible for the continuation of the political deadlock for the very sound reason that, on the facts generally known, there should not be any such difficulty as

seems to have arisen. The Reform Party claims to subscribe to Liberal principles, and the members of the 10 Liberal Party claim to be true Lib,n erals. One of the Reform members, 1 ‘ when speaking during the recent debate, referred to the desirability of a combination of the two parties under the designation of the National Lib- ?> ®ral Party. During tbe same debate • r a prominent member of the Liberal '■ Party said: “It is exceedingly unfair “ to suggest that the Liberal Party’s atr - titude is due to the fear of Mr Wil- “ ford that he would lose his position, b As a matter of fact at the Liberal Caucus Mr Wilford had offered to f - place himself at the party’s disposal ” and sacrifice his ambitions.” It has - also been stated that all the Minis- - ters of the Reform Government have ’■ placed their resignations with Mr '• Massey, giving him also a free hand •• to i do whatever he might consider ’> right in the best interests of the • country. With these recent facts be- , fore us, what, in the name of reason, , is any citizen to think of the position , as it remains to-day? The question

that promptly suggests itself is, where - is the influence that is preventing • the formation of a new National Libi eral Party? Have the rights of the people and New Zealand welfare been relegated to the political scrap heap in the interest of a few mere selfseeking politicians? Such a condition of affairs would be repugnant in the ' worst sense, and would seem to indicate the presence, somewhere, of insincerity and political dishonesty too degraded for words. NO PARTY ADVANTAGE. There has not previously been, in our whole political history, a crisis anywhere approaching the present serious condition of affairs —a fact which is generally recognised. It is a matter of the most grave concern and this is surely a time when there should lie an honest sinking of differences and personal ambitions so as to clear the way for uniting forces in the best interests of the nation’s welfare. It is imperative that drastic changes and adjustments must be made, and in many directions. Towards that end it is equally imperative—indeed a pre-

cedent necessity—to secure the requisite policy with a strong Government capable of giving effect to its principles. It is certainly high time our Parliamentary representatives evinced a proper realisation of the facts and the nation’s difficulties, and endeavored to re-establish confidence by securing sound national stability. Here let me say, if once the people saw in the Government of this country the wisest and more experienced men, as administrators of all the several State Departments, there would ouickly follow a greatly increased confidence in the ability of the Government to devise and carry out the new legislation so urgently required. It seems to me that so far as regards the Ministerial portfolios in the new party, there should be an equal number given to each of the two parties so as to remove any suggestion of party preference, it is manifestly necessary there must be some indications of a genuine desire on the part of both parties to eliminate anything savoring of party advantage. If personal ambition and party preference are kept out of any negotiations, and if there is truth in the reported statements of the prominent members on both sides, I fail to see where any sound argument exists that could bar the way to a satisfactory and thoroughly sound arrangement. If the reason, however, for no agreement being arrived at be due to a determination on the part of certain individuals to advance their own interests on the one hand, and to cling to positions on the other hand, bv placing impediments in the form of

personal interests in the way—thereby defeating 1 the wishes of the people —they can only he regarded, and will no doubt be generally described, as traitors to the country’s best wishes, fn dealing with the present crisis it would be idle to assume that any man, no matter who he is, is indispensable. History completely proves the fallacy of*such a contention, ind this fact requires no further elaboration. The great need of the pour is honesty of purpose, intelligence, promptitude, and fearlessness, with a genuine regard for the nation’s y elf are and the future of our people.