CIGAR THIRTEEN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1259, 16 October 1911, Page 7

CIGAR THIRTEEN.

MY AUNT SOPHIA. •AND TUB CORRECT POINT 01" VIEW. "Charles," said Aunt Sophia, drawing off her gloves with a pensiro air, "I find tnyself in a difficulty." I sent a long streak of blue cigar sinoko oeilmg-wards. "Open confession is good for tho soul, Aunt," I murmured, encour*gingly. ''lot us suppose, Charles " I smiledAunt Sophia paused. "Why do you smile?" she inquired. '•Go on with your hypothesis. Aunt," I replied, still smiling. The lady proceeded. "Let us suppose that there are.two condidates for a certain seat in Parliament." I nodded gravely. "One supports Sir Joseph Ward, and the other is on Jlr. Massey's side." I nodded again. "looks simplo, so far," said I. "But suppose, further, that the man who is on Sir Joseph Ward's side is a mnoh better ma,a than Mr. Massey's candidate—cleverer, more brilliant, a better 6penker, better in every way, Charles?" "You should vote for hiuv—eh?" Aunt Sophia squeezed her lips, and frowned at the carpet. It was the hour of I could feel it in my bones." There is no alternative, Charles,' 6he said, firmly. " "Why is there no alternative, Aunt," I inquired, regarding tho bluo canopy which floated lazily overhead. "Should we not endeavour to send tho very best men to Parliament, Charles: 1 " "Certainly." "Well, then, that settles it," said Aunt Sophia, with determination. "Settles what?" "I shall vote for the Government candidate in niv district," she explained. I flicked the ash of the cigar, "my dear Aunt," I said, slowly, "you will do j nothing of the kind." .| "I havo made up my mind, Charles, 6aid Aunt Sophia, rigidly. I sighed heavily. Aunt Sophia continued. 'If every body voted for tho best man, Charles, what a splendid Parliament we should have in New Zealand," said this irrepressible zealot. "Humph!" said I. Jly Aunt regarded me with amazement. "]3o'n't you agree with me, Charles?" "It sounds very nice, I'll admit," said I,' "but, my dear Auut, it won't doit ain't practicable." "And why not?" demanded Aunt Sophia. "You must take a different point of view, Aunt," I replied, "Yours is a one-eyed proposition." "I don't understand you," said my Aunt. "Put it this way, then," I proceeded. "If ■ you nail your attention down to two men who are fighting a Parliamentary election in your own district, you will uo doubt settle in your, own mind which of the two is the better man. But,' - I said, with emphasis, "you lose sight of the big issue—tho interests of the country as a whole." "But tho interests of the country a= a whole demand that we should ssnd the best men to Parliament." "That's all very well. Aunt," I said. "By all means let us havo the best men. .' But what do you call tho best men ?" "Tho. brainiest men. of course, Charles," said Aunt Sophia. "Men who havo lofty ambitions, gifts of oratory, culture, and so on." . "Rot!" .said I, disparagingly. Aunt Sophia stiffened her hack. "Beg pardon," said I, and made haste to.proceed. "We must judge <1 politician by. his ideals, his personal character, rather than by tho glitter of his talents. This is a vory matter of fact world, my dear Aunt. Good, solid, efficient men aro scarco. They aro not standing in tho limelight all the time—that's why they are hard to find. But it is that class of man who can best protect tho country from being exploited by clever rascals." "That's all very well, Charles," said Auut Sophia. -TSut how am I to .judge men whom I do not know personally? "A man is known by the company he keeps, my dear aunt," I said, significantly. "You' don't suggest, surely, that poli- , tics should havo any influence in a person's social connections?" "You don't quite see my point, Aunt," I said.' "Put it this way. A man's political ideals can be estimated from the man ho chooses as his political leader." "Oh, I see," said Aunt Sophia, a light beginning to dawn upon her. "Would you voto for tho Baronet, aunt?" "Tho idea!" "You see, aunt, you want to get the correct point of view. Brainpower is not necessarily a qualification for virtuous effort, either in politics or any other walk of life. I could dig you out a few men from the criminal records with brain-power enough and to satisfy. But that's not the sort of brain-power wo want. Wo want men—good, honest, solid men— whoso ideals are for clean and efficient government. "I understand," said Aunt Sophia. "The immediate question in the coming election—the biggest issue, aunt—is whether the country is going to put up with the Joe Ward Government any ionger." ■"[ . quite agree * with you there, Charles,". said Aunt Sophia. "At all costs," I said, earnestly, "that Govornment must bo got rid of." "At all costs—yes." "Take an extremo case— the case of the moji who has no confidence in Ward's Government, but hesitates to give Jlassey n trial; the sort of man who says: 'No, ■we'll give Jlassey a good strong Opposition, just to steady tlia ship, but wo won't ohanco him as head of the Government.' Well, now, that man plainly distrusts tho present Government, doesn't le ?" "Surely," said Aunt Sophia. "But, t.hon, he can voto for an Independent Liberal." "What good would that be?" I said. "Does that givo him any guarantee that Ward will go out. or even that tho man •will act independently if elected? Not an ounce!" "But if this Independent Liberal Liberal pledged himself to veto against the Government 011 a no-coniidenco motion—what then?" "An Independent Liberal who would give such a pledge sells his independence to tho Opposition before he enters tho House," 1 said. "lie's not even a manhe's a political jackal. No, Aunt, an elector, to 1)0 perfectly clear and logical in his actions, must either vote for the Government or against it—and the majority of voters determines the i.-.-ue. We must have majority rule, and majority rule resolves all jjoliticat opinions into twq great constituents in tho nation's politics, fho ins and tho outs. If wo abandon majority rule—government by pirty—wo invito political chaos, social anarchy." "Then I must.' voto for the party, Charles, not tho man," said Aunt Sophia. Precise'y, Aunt." "I sec." I proceeded: "A party which is inspired by tho. ideal of honest and efficient government can bo Tolied upon to carry ont its. pledges." "Therefore, Charles, I need havo no hesitation in—er— : " "Assisting tho Reform party—which, mark you, represents sound and Liberal idetils—to rid the country of the desperate opportunists who have placed tho sweets of office before principles, and sacrificed their partisans for the baubles of aristocracy." Aunt Sophia siffhed for her vanished hopes. "After all, Charles, this fine speech and glittering show is so much vanily." "And vexation of spirit." I chanted, scripturally. _ ! "For tln.se who parade it," supplemented the lady. ".As for example?" Annt Soplusi understood perfectly. "Sir John Findl iy" said she. I la.ugh-.id. "I have plucked a brand from (lie burning to-night, Aunt—eh?" "Don't be frivolous, Charles. Goodnight." _________