A RUDDERLESS SHIP

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3465, 4 March 1912, Page 5

A RUDDERLESS SHIP

ON THE TROUBLED POLITICAL SEA. WHY NOT USE THE NEW STEERING GEAR PROVIDED BY THE CREW? In the meantime, though they have not yet reached the Treasury Benches, Mr Massey and his party have gained their first victory in the cause of reform because the present Government must go out of office. “But in regard to the present position,” said Mr Massey, “there has never, I suppose, been a parallel to it in any country in the world. .The House adjourned and Parliament has been prorogued in full knowledge of the fact that in a few weeks the present Government will go out and another set of men will step into their shoes. The latter, it is known even by the party who will be their leader or his colleagues, will administer the affairs of the country though neither Parliament nor the people may have any confidence in their policy, their composition, or their efficiency. ' This is truly the acme of undemocratic Government. The strongest party in the House is undoubtedly the Reform party. It is a solid body of 38 men. . On the other side there is a bitter and disaffected party of 34 Ministerialists, with whom were allied four Labor members, two Independents, and Mr. Speaker. Mr Wilford, who is absent in England, may possibly not approve of wliat has been done on the strength of extraordinary promises and broken is it possible,” asks Mr Massey, ‘ ‘for any Government formed from such a party and under such circumstances to sail the troubled political sea? For the moment the ship of State is rudderless. The crew, in the shape of the people, has provided a new rudder, but the officers, in the shape of the Cabinet, have refused to snip it and in the meantime further damage will be done. I don’t wish to use strong terms about what has already taken place, but it seems to me that there

fs only one way out and that is an appeal to the people. I certainly do not wish to rush the country into the turmoil and expense of another election, but the coming session of Parliament may show that there is no other way out of the difficulty.