COUNTRY OR PARTY?

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1370, 22 March 1923, Page 5

COUNTRY OR PARTY?

SOMETHING TO DISCLOSE. THE TAURANGA CONTROVERSY. (By Telegraph. Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. “ The country has been led to believe by Sir Joseph Ward’s speeches and by the public utterances of Mr Massey before the bye-election that both favoured an understanding or arrangement which would set aside minor differences and make unity possible on the broad basis of the country’s welfare. What, then, is the obstacle to such an arrangement?” asks the Wellington Post, which discusses in its usual independent vein the latest developments in Tauranga, particu-

larly the Premier’s declaration that he is not going to humiliate himself by agreeing to unreasonable conditions. The Post suggests that in justice to the country more information should be given regarding these conditions. The people, the paper declares, should be allowed to know who is being unreasonable. By conducting his election campaign, without the assistance of other speakers, continues the Post,

Sir Joseph Ward has given proof that he desires to keep the party issue in the background; unfortunately his example in this respect has not been followed; hence a danger arises of personal and party considerations obtruding when all attention should be given to national welfare. The Government majority if Mr Macmillan is elected will he three, but it will include one Liberal and two Independent Liberals. Such a majority does not assure stability, and it may lead

to a policy of do nothing. The Post finally declares that more than ever it. is essential for personal considerations to be kept in the background. Neither party nor personal interest, it says, should be permitted to destroy the prospect of promoting greater political stability.