THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2417, 4 February 1909, Page 7

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

AN AUSTRALIAN VIEW

The check to the prosperity of New Zealand, which for some months was impending, appears (remarks the “ Pastor aiist’s Review” of January 15) to have been either deferred or overcome, though the buoyancy which characterised the affairs of the (Dominion for so many years has not yet returned —it will be well if a period of more sober words and actions has been entered upon. Even the experience of the last year has shown that much of what had been heralded as evidence of solid prosperity was merely inflation, the extravagant increase in land values and the- rate of living, on the part of the individual, and tiie reckless expenditure of public money,. much of it borrowed, on the part of’ the Government, being errors which much sooner or later bring retribution. The result ol the Parliainentry election was unquestionably a sharp admohitation to Sir Joseph Ward, and ono which so astute a poliitican will not disregard—for it cannot bo thought tiuxt ho will yet begin to ride for a fall. Many causes have been assigned for the defeat of such a laigc number of the Government candidates, but there is no doubt that the extravagence of recent years was one of the chief factors. Sir Joseph has a most difficult task to"face in reducing expenditure. He is hampered with the compulsory rebuilding of tile. Houses of Parliament and Government House, which, though not a. momentous burden for a large and wealthy nation, is sufficiently weighty to have a very tangible influence upon the finances of New Zealand. .There is room for apprehension that m the circumstances expenditure upon objects which would promote the development of the productive resources of the Dominion, such ias the provision of faculties for -the prosecution of the educational and experimental work of the Agricultural Department, may be denied. From the manner in which distinguished experts and scientists are forsaking the country it may be deduced that little prospect oi progress in their several spheres is visible. The Government is blamed too, for the financial stringency which, though to some extent mitigated, still remains very obvious to anyone needing assistance in land transactions, no matter how strictly lion-speculative they may be. Sir Joseph is as cheerful as ever, but a reduced revenue and an expend it me swollen by many extraordinary items will severely strain his optimism. These things touch the many, and foster discontent accordingly. Further, the electoral successes of the freehold party may very possibly lead to the reopening of the land tenure question, which it was hoped last year’s legislation had disposed of for a decade or -longer. The political pathway m Few Zealand is by no means smooth.