The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1908. THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2112, 11 February 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1908. THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Tike Premier’s policy speech in Auckland, the meeting of the local Liberal League, and the unwonted activity of the Prime Minister in miking long riding tours to all pints of the Poverty Bay district, may all be taken as reminders of the fact theut the time for another general election is approaching. The date is still too remote to permit the subject to rank as one of vital importance at- this stage, yet it is useful at this juncture to consider some of the outstanding features that' are likely to come up for consideration. In the first- place, it must- be remembered that the position next November will be radically different from that which faced the people a.t last election. At that time the-main issue, -as had been the case at the election before that, was whether a one-man Government should prevail, or give place to one organised by the Opposition. It is one of the ironies of political life that in a country which claims to he the most democratic in the world, the autocrat — for the late ,Mr. iS'eddon was certainly a king of autocrats —should win the day. Yet, after all, it- was only what might have been expected by a keen student of human nature, for

nian loves to bo mini, provided lho personality is strong enough, ami as the French It (publican::, alter kil-l-'ng oil their dc-gt-n crate royalty, voluntarily gave -fa a Corsican t,0.1-thC'r thC'r more po>wor I Iran over their kings enjoyed, so iho domocrats oF New Zen hand frankly and unashamedly placed tlio late Premier in pnicf'enlly supreme conlrol of the N.Z. Pauli un(nit. The strong personal inlluonco ol “king Dick,” as ho was fittingly uiclc-named, completely dominated the last election, and the real political issues of the day were lost sight of, .in tlio question of the porsonal .supremacy of the man who Ikul just come out- on top, over the coldbraded voucher case. The revulsion of feeling over that un Corfu unto >Hair was so manifest tha t .Mr. Seddon won “hands down,” but it is as well to remember just noiv that political topics generally look a minor part in tlio content. Oil the present occasion it would seem that (the main issue is to bo one of general policy, ill which the oxitonl to which Socialism is to bo followed in our legislation will tako a leading part. The Rremior himself appro rs to recognise this to ho tllio case, for in his Auckland speech ho devoted considerable attention to a definition of,what ho claimed to bo his party’s attitude on the subject. Sir Joseph is a fluent speaker and plausible orator, and lie was able to pKico bis views in such t manner as to satisfy the large crowd which assembled to head - him. The sentiments which he voiced -are undoubtedly admirable, and if lived up to, would, constitute sound reasons for giving the'present Government a renewed term of office. Most of us, nowadays, are Socialists lip to u point.: that is, wo believe in iho principle that Iho State should control the railways and many other national services, and .00 long as our legislation . does not overstep the mark, and attempt to interfere with the right of.the individual to work out his 'own destiny, untrammelled by vexatious, hampering laws, so that he may make such personal advancement as his qualifications and industry entitle him to, it Will do no harm. It is in diuwing .a reasonable lino between tho Socialism which never interferes with any industry, excepting where the circumstances show conclusively that in the interests of the community State action is necessary, and tho Socialism which frankly seeks To abolish individualism in our gen oration, that any modern Government must show its statesmanship. Sir Joseph Ward put the position very satisfactorily when he decilared emphatically that he was against “revolutionary socialism.” Unfortunately the specious statement made by him on this question, is not justified by results. It is quite possible that (the Premier himself may be in sympathy with the cautious attitude he voiced on Friday night, but Sir Joseph Ward has not his parity in hand in tho way that the late Air Scddon had, and it may indeed be said that it is the party that does the dictating. AYe are .told that there is not to be .any

“.revolutionary socialism,” but -with a land nationalism- in the Cabinet, threo members pledged to the mostextreme .prohibition views, and a Minister of Lands .who. made the limitation of areas and accompanying confiscation as the chief plank in his original land policy, it is difficult to eee how Sir Joseph AY and can keep i the (socialistic element in the House from obtaining its demands. The land legislation of last session is but an indication of this fact. The Hon. Air Alc'Nsib now openly boasts that after next month owners of estates will compelled to raise the taxation oil their own properties. AAMtSi a humor that wo would scarcely like to designate .as Scotch, he is careful to point, out iibnt the Gtovernme-nt is no.t compelling the increase in the assessments, but when the alternative is to lose their properties, the assurance is of little value to tlio unfortunate owner. It is like an ingenious method of making a man become Inis own executioner, and then informing him tihat no one ”s to blamo but himself if he loses Iris head. The Premier would Jiuvc us believe that he intends to withstand tho influence of extremists, but where we may ask, can one find more revolutionary socialists than Messrs Laureason, 11. G. Ell, and Hbg-g, ■all of whom appear to take -a prominent part in shaping the Government policy. After all, it is deeds not words that count, and unless next session tells a. different story to that of last, Sir Joseph ,will have to ho content to have his party ranked with the “revolutionary Socialists” whom lie professes to abhor. Then will come the chance, for a new party'. AVe do not believe for u moment that the .peoplo of New Zealand as a whole are in sympathy with land confiscation, the ridiculous leasehold system of land settlement, or tho many other evidences of dangerous Socialism that have crept into recent legist ittion. The general wishes of the community 011 matters of general policy wore not voiced at last election, for the reasons- already referred to.-. 111 November next the position will bo entirely changed, and we shall' bo quite prepared* to find a support given to Air. Alassey’s party that wild surprise and slugger the present Government. Even .though the Opposition may not bo returned in sufficient strength to secu.ro the reins of Government, we feel confident that it-will be so strong as to have a marked influence upon every piece of legislation that comes up .in tlio next Parliament. That is the least that should result from the poll, for it is certainly in the best interests of tho country that a thoroughly effective Opposition dim 11 be placed in power, to criticise tine actions of tho Government. Air. Alassev’s chances o-f securing an absolute majority of the seats are excellent, provided the party is thoroughly organised throughout tho Dominion. There has been a marked increase in tho favor with which the Opposition bus been viewed bv the public in recent years, and with a judiciously framed programme properly placed before the people, and a (well organised campaign, very great results may be attained.