The Dominion. THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1911. DR. IZARD'S MAIDEN SPEECH.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1130, 18 May 1911, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1911. DR. IZARD'S MAIDEN SPEECH.

In opening his campaign for the Wellington North seat at this early stage, Dr. Izard, who delivered his maiden speech in the Sydney Street Schoolroom last evening, has displayed some shrewdness. He is very well known in certain sports circles, and also in social life, but little is known of his political views or of his qualifications for public affairs. By this early start, however, he will have ample opportunity to get into touch with his public and to place very fully before the electors of his constituency the grounds upon which he expects them to throw over their present member, Mr. A. L. Herdman, in order to make room for him. Concerning last night's meeting, Dr. Izard had every reason to be pleased with the large attendance, arid the very generous reception accorded him. It was quite obvious that the gathering was rather in the nature of a demonstration of personal goodwill than a political rallv, a fact which, judging by his closing remarks, Dr. Izard appeared to jju fully conscious of and to appreciate accordingly. So far as the speech was concerned, it would hardly be fair to judge Dit. Izard on his maiden' effort. He had plainly endeavoured to cover too wide a range of ground, and the result was th;u he went rushing through a whole host of subjects with the barest reference possible. In the circumstances it would not be fair to assume that we have plumbed the depths of Dr. Izard's acquaintance with the matters touched on. Yet we must confess to some surprise that Dr. Izard should have been content to follow so closely the welltrodden track of the hack Government, candidate. We had expected from him at least sonw flashes of originality-— some new dressing for the some.trb.at threadbare stock-in-trade argumonts of the Government supporter. But he was content to plod along—very pleasantly, it is true, and with nicely-turned phrases, and an occasional stirring little period—but obvious plodding through the customary catalogue of the overwhelming virtues of our great and just Government, with the usual depressing contrast of the "obsolete Conservatism," which is held up to the public gaze as representing the Opposition. This is all very well, of course, for the average Government candidate, but -we had expected something more from Dr. Izard. We feel certain, for instance, that when he comes to turn the matter over to-day he will realise that to describe his opponent as representing an "obsolete Conservatism" may be good tactics away from Wellington where Mn. Herdman is not known, but does not ring true amongst the people who arc on the spot and in a position to judge for .themselves;. , !! Dr. Izard will find that blind adherence to.party catchcries and stereotyped appeals to sectional interests are dangerous things for a candidate in a Wellington constituency, for in Wellington the public are too conversant with political matters to be easily led astray. We must congratulate the candidate on his frank recognition of the necessity for a Railways Commission of experts to plan out the future railway development of the country instead oi leaving this important matter to bo influenced by the political needs of the "party in power for the time being. . Ho also was vary sound in his reference to the proposed expenditure on the hydro-electric wildcat proposals of the Government. But while Dn. Izaed must be given credit for these departures from the recognised Government programme, ho has, unfortunately for himself, in his inexperience or m his blind confidence in the Government, bound himself hand and foot in the most absolute manner possible to obey the will of the Ministry. Why he should go out of his way to pledge himself at his first meeting in such a manner as to place himself absolutely at the disposal of the Government whenever it chooses to consider itself in danger is difficult to understand. Possibly ho does not realise how much he has committed himself, for he remarks that on all other questions (apart from those affecting the fate of the Government) ho will exercise a vote in whatever direction may appear best for the country. Trustful Dn. Izard. Does he not know that whenever the Government wishes to bring its party into heel it makes the question at issue one of no-confidence i For instance, last evening De. Izaed declared that The Dominion should be treated in the same way as other papers in the mattor of Government advertising. Let him read elsewhere in this issue what a member of ■ th' 3 Ministry said on the same subject speaking almost at the same moment We refer to the speech of Mk. Fowxds. Does he think that an honest speech in its reference to The Dominion 1 Would he support the Minister or would he adhere to his opinion and vote for the people's money being spent to the best advantage, irrespective of political considerations—that is, assuming he is returned to Parliament? De. Izaed, we have no doubt, as an honest man wquld promptly answer that he would vote against the improper boycott of a reputable paper, and he would mean it. But should he get into Parliament he will find that the question will be made, one of want of confidence, and his pledge will be' dragged forth, and he will be forced to vote against his convictions to save the face of his leaders. Fortunately, perhaps, for Dr. Izakd, he wiU probably escape that unhappy position through the failure of the electors of Wellington North to properly appreciate the nerits of the" Govcrnmcnthe supports. But he should now realise that, if elected, he goes into Parliament with bis hands tied—his pledge makes him the bond slave of the Government whenever they choose to exercise their power. There arc already too many men in Parliament with their hands tied. It is to this fact that the country owes the dominance of the Executive over Parliament, and Parliament will never regain the mastery until the people send a sufficient number of free men there to shake the little' clique of self-constituted autocrats from their thrones. While this initial indiscretion must weaken Dr. Izard's chances, we have no doubt that he will throw himsejf into the fray with his accustomed energy, and that the full forcee of the Government will rally to his aid,

so that a very pretty fight may bs looked forward to. Probably in his next speech ho will probe more deeply the political questions o£ the day, and the public may then be able to form a higher judgment of his qualities than is possible from his maiden speech.