The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1918. THE MINISTERS' RETURN

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13890, 16 October 1918, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1918. THE MINISTERS' RETURN

The relurn of our delegates, Mr Missey and Sir Joseph Ward, from their visit to the War Conference is a matter of great importance, both from the Imperial and from the domestic point of view. We shall id an early dale have Parliament sitting, and there are many questions which the country wishes to see dealt with. While the fortunes of war yet hung in the balance criticism and debate were hushed in the loyal determination to have no differences of opinion until tin' tnsl< was completed, Circumstances have now taken such a turn that this consideration has no longer the same weight, and we are likely to see a stormy session. The Government will be attacked for many matters for which they are not to blame, and for some for which they may justly be held responsible. The chief complaint against them is that they have not prevented the increase in the cost of living, and they may fairly retort that in the main this was a matter beyond their control. We have on many occasions pointed out that Sir Joseph Ward's method of financing the war by loan and his failure to tax as heavily as should have heen done, have contributed to the inflation which is the chief cause of the increased post of living. Bui if he had pursued a more courageous policy we could not have escaped the misfortunes which atlliet the world, though we might have suffered somewhat less, tlur own complaint against the Government would be that the action which they have taken has frequently been mistaken, and that in endeavouring to meet unjustifiable demands by concessions, they have penalised the community to favour a class. The recent aid ion in the matter of the coal miners is glaring, and has resulted in taxing every householder in order to add to the wages of the most highly paid class in the country. There is, however, another matter in which we hold that they have erred. The moratorium which permitted mortgagees to refrain from paying interest has given a shock to confidence, and will result in a permanently higher rale of interest being required to cover risks which had not been realised. Jt is on such matters that we have constantly to lament the want of members who can point out the dangers of the course which the Government adopt as the easiest method to deal with an immediate difficulty. Another matter which the Government will lie pressed over is that of dealing with the repatriation of our troops, about which they have so far done little, though it is a matter of extreme urgency, It may seem ungracious to point out shortcomings in a Government which has brought the country with credit through an unparnllelled crisis, but no Cabinet can live on its achievements: it must show itself ready to deal with the questions which are ever arising in a free country, and its first step must be to hold an election as soon as peace is declared. Parliaments are like manna, and only retain their savour when they are quite fresh.

These are the domestic reasons for our interest in the return of our representatives. On the Imperial side there are others of far wider scope, but although both Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward have spoken and been interviewed, they have so far given no indication that any steps whatever have been taken in the direction id' placing the liovernment of the British Knipire upon a sounder footinp. Mr Massey says that the most important matter dealt with was the arrangement by which a llominion may appoint a Minister to attend the meetings of the Imperial Conference. This is, of course, better than nothing, hut as a step towards Imperial Federation is a mere evasion of the .lifiieulty. As part of the British Empire wo in New Zealand are affected by the foreign policy which is pursued, but we have no means of expressing our opinion thereon. The appointment of a Minister, if such an appointment he made (for even that is quite optional), poos but a small distance, for he can but attend as a delegate to represent the views which he is instructed to put forward. His position resembles that of an Ambassador, who is a valuable means of communication with a foreign country, which does not happen to be what we want. We require representatives—one or more elected by the country to take their par! in an Imperial Council in deciding the hues on which the settlement of this .ureal war is to Lie made, and the course which is to he pursued in the future to avoid another such catastrophe. We should he glad to hear from Mr Massey what has been done towards the formation of such a Council. It is obvious that an arbitrary selection made hy the British Prime Minister of the day of those who shall sit therein, together with the Prime Ministers of the Dominions, cannot possess the authority requisite to deal with such matters, and in the case of llominion Premiers the accidents of time and space make it impossible Cor them to he often in attendance. Jn tiiis mallei' our rulers are strangely timid, and the fault lies Willi the Dominions and not with (ircal Britain, whose representatives would have willingly gone further if the Dominions would have agreed. As il is. we are left with the irregular control of men not elected for the purpose, and shall some day find ourselves committed to a course we disapprove. This has heen a war foilghl to save Democracy, hut i! is astonishing how loath• our rulers arc to apply the principle for which we have made such saci'illces. i Mi minor mailers such as the anlicipaled increase of taxation and the future rale of interest, Sir Joseph \V ird had interesting remarks to make; and Mr Massey expressed himself on the necessity of mainl linimr our reinforcements with a vigour and patriotism that

will rniniiMTi.i itself hi every loyal cili- -'"• W" !••■■•> hHV- UK.11.-rs l'„ ~„„ l' llin "''. »n«l rritit-isiiis hi make, but w.' recognise thai l,Mil, ~,.,■ n-pri'scnta-tives have been rd.ie lo rise to the oceas:"n ' m| I"" business mnsi,l,ration., on one side in view 0 f a crisis in the history of mankind wliieh has yet found s " m " l"'"l'l" unable h. tear themselves !| '" ;;| money-bag and ledger.