A POLICY OF HUMBUG.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1058, 22 February 1911, Page 4

A POLICY OF HUMBUG.

That eloquent and learned member of the Cabinet, tho 'AttorneyGeneral, whose speeches arc so delightfully flavoured with copy-book maxims and illuminating homilies, has been done some injustice by an unnppreciative Press Association agent. A speech which ha delivered at Whnngarci last Saturday evening, and in the course of which he discoursed at length, and with evidence- of. an intimate knowledge of his subject, on humbugs, appears to have been quite'ignored by the Prow .Association, and the people of Wha-

ngarci and the readers of a few specially-favoured journals alone have .had the benefit of Dn. Findlay's midnight researches. This is unfortunate for tho enthusiastic adherent who moved the motion of thanks and confidence at the gathering, described the speech as "one of the ablest political addresses he had heard in New Zealand." It is, perhaps, desirable in tho circumstances that our readers should bo regaled with a- few extracts from tho report of the speech taken from the official organ of the Government: "The highest function of a modern progressive State was to provide the greatest number with access to opportunity, and he claimed that the Liberal Government of this country had strenuously mid increasingly discharged that function." , ; In such high-sounding and uplifting words Dr. Findlay summed up the policy of the Government. It really docs sound very fine—there is quite a smack of statesmanship in the fine phrasing —the "access to opportunity" idea is suggestive of most alluring possibilities. A great many people, indeed, who take words at their faco value, and who are content with high-sounding professions, will no doxibt regard Dr. Findlay as a very superior person. It is almost brutal, to ask for anything more substantial than his glowing lanmore definite. But .wo get it: • * ■ "Surely that [the helping of the many] could be done most effectively by providing at the cheapest rate the State's great economic advantages that could secure the means by and through which industrial effort and efficiency could be stimulated, equipped,' and'profitably employNo doubt the humble toiler will appreciate tho fine statesmanship, tho eminently practical mind, the depth of study of economic conditions behind these simple and illuminating words. It is so easy for the State to provide an industrial millennium at the cheapest irate. Somo' States, of course; might do the samo thing at the dearest rate, but Dr. Findlay's State is evidontly'not , looking for profits. Moreovor, he adds that "the State must do these things by ' all proper means in its power." This observation may scorn superfluous. To suggest anything' improper in connection with Dr. Findlay's policy is too absurd. , The "charter, of .Liberalism," as summarised by the Attorney-General, consists to-day of seven planks, most of which arc familiar. They provido "access" to a great many things, two of which alone need be mentioned here. The first of these reads: "Access to'land,-with security of tenure." This apparently is tho latest land policy of the Government. No one but Dr. Findlay, we thinkj could have dealt with this question so, thoroughly in eo few words. It is a further evidence of his superiority to- the common run of .politicians^' Facts offer no obstacle to him—the amazing gymnastics of his Government on tho land question for'tho'past five years fail to confuse his ;; 'clearhcss ( of yisidn. Some Ministers would have confined themselves to saying that the Gov-' ornment's land policy was a policy of land scttlemont, but Dr. Findlay prefers to tako the public fully into his confidence and to inform them that tho policy is "access to land, with security of tenure.'* Wha , t> more , could bo desired than the figures •to show what settlement has taken place under'tlio Liberal Government, and thjs .information was also given. Tho other point. in ; tho "charter" worth a moment's attention is as follows:— .' ... "Access to , communication v and transportation free where possible, and where not, at.the very lowest rates of carriage for matt and his produce the State conld •afford." ■ ' ■ ; -'. . This, we'venture ■to i. think, is real "Liberalismi. , ;;, "^Transportation?free jvhero possible/' Tible "at ( tho very V-'lowesfcr rates!" Thero are';- pcoplo,'' -wo fearj • who might be. unkind.enpugh to : speak very disrespectfully of this plank; in tho' "charter of 'Liberalism.",..ln.fact, from ariyono other than a,person of Dr'. Findlay's high mental attainments and' deep sincerity of purposo tho proposition put forward would certainly be open to suspicion and oven ridicule. But to suggest' that 'Dβ. Findlay would humbug an* unsuspecting public is to ehattor an ideal. Possibly, in referring to "transportation free," the Attorney-General was confusing his prison reform, scheme' with the railway policy of Mr. Millar, and ho mav later oxplain tho error. Thcro "is only ono ■ furthor extract from the speech which space will permit us,, to -publish;, but it is a most important,*one, as showing the tremendous...efforts .that arc being made by: a■■ tender-hearted Government, led by Dr. Findlay and Sir Joseph Ward, to sweep away tho economic ills which, surround mankind: '•'■■'■■! The perplexing question of insurance against unemployment had more than once been dwelt upon by Sir Joseph Ward, who.recognised.how, desirable it was that tho haunting fear of enforced idleness, leaving the home in want, should not cloud, as it did to-day, so much the lives of even thrifty, workers. No satisfactory scheme had yet been devised, but the operation of certain. Continental schemes and of the proposed English scheme was being watched with a view of guidance as to legislation in New Zealand. Here is a world problem "perplexing" the Government. But' Sir Joseph Ward has "more than once" dwelt upon it, and has recognised "how desirable" it is that it should bo removed. In his next speech Dr. EiNDLAY'may be good enough'to toll us that Sir Joseph Ward has discovered how "desirable" it is that want should bo abolished; that crime should cease, and even, perhaps, that glib politicians should refrain from attempting to humbug the public, with high-sounding nonsense and gilded promises incapable of fulfilment. Dn. Findlay showed very clearly in his Whangarei speech how large an amount of truth there is in Mr. ' Massey's assertion that the Government's policy is one of humbug. ' ■

Messrs. .J. H. BoHiuno and Co. (in conjunction with Messrs. Harcourt and (J«.) will soil on Wednesday, March 1, 1911, at 2.30 p.m., ut Messrs.'Harcourt ami Co.'s rooms, tlic Well-known property of the Australian Widows' I'und Life Assurance Society. Ltd., Nos. 113 aud 115 Customhouse Quay, Wellington. Tho land has a frontnie of 30 feet by a depth of 108 ft. Gin., with light and air areas nt Iho back and on tho northern-side. Tho building lias thrco floors and basement, each of tho floors being subdivided into suites of offices, and «nch beinz suppjicd with ample strongroom accommodation, besides eight Milner's safes, distributed throughout the building. The fittincs on the ground floor, which are all cedar, and .include desks, counter, etc.. are boiii? sold v;ith the building. Exceptionally liberal terms -will bo given. Further information, plans, etc., may be obtained on application to Messrs. Youiitr nnd Tripe, solicitors, 17 Grey Street; Messr.-J. Harcourt nnd,Co.,>Lambton Quayt -or M«itr«' J. H. Bethuno aud Co., leatherston 'Street*