NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1876, 9 October 1913, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The local organ of the Opposition has got itself into difficulties again through its unfortunate habit of misstating facts and shrieking unmerited abuse at its political opponents. The Taranaki Herald, on Monday last appears to have lost patience with the reckless misrepresentations indulged in_ by the Wellington journal, and in the course of an article which we republish in full in another column exposes in a very thorough and convincing fashion tho dishonesty of an attack made on the Government in connection with the lending of money on mortgage. AVe have not compared the figures quoted by the Taranaki paper with the official' records, but we have no doubt that they correctly state tho position. As a matter of fact, the extreme language and virulence of the local Opposition journal in the article which, is the subject of criticism were sufficient in themselves to discount the attack made on Ministers, even if the public were quite ignorant of the true position. Here, for instance, is a. specimen of the rubbish provided for the delectation ■of its readers: Indeed, we probably understated tho position, for the report presented to Parliament shows that after the Tories had worked their will for nine months (from July, 1912, to March, 11)13}, rates of interest on registered mortgages had reached abnormal figures. This is not a conjecture nor an opinion. It is a demonstrated fact proved from public records. The interest paid on mortgages during the first Tory year ranged from 51 to 20 per oent.! Owing directly to the Government's hostility to that great Liberal institution, tho Advances Department, and to the same Government's warm regard l'or the Shylocks of this life, 601110 unfortunate borrowers had to pay last year for their accommodation actually as much as four shillings in tho pound! Thero were several mortgages at 16 per cent.; more at 12J, 12, and 11 per cent., etc., etc.

And this veracious journal then invites its readers to contrast these "abnormal" rates with what went on under Sir Joseph Ward. Our Taranaki contemporary makes the contrast as invited, and does so very effectively, but it lets' down this dishonest critic of the Government more lightly than it deserves. The local Opposition journal knows perfectly well that the Massey Government was not- any more responsible for the "abnormal" charges made to certain borrowers than ' was Sir Joseph Ward himself. But since ithas chosen to challenge comparisons let it turn to the record of the Ward Government. It exclaims in horror at a Government which permits an unfortunate borrower to be victimised to the extent of havin?

to pay four shillings in tho pound by way of interest on his mortgage. If it turns up the official records it will find that under its patron saint, Sut Joseph Ward, as high as 40 per cent, or eight shillinns in the pound was paid—just douMe the amount which provokod its wrath against the Massey Government. And it will find further than under Sill Joseph Ward charges of 30 per cent., 25 per cent., 22| per cent., and 20 per cent, were also made, and appear in the official records. Yet it is stupid enough to attempt to deceive its readers and make them believe that the few odd cases of a very high rate of interest charged by private money-lenders, presumably on poor securities, indicate an abnormal state of things due to tho Masse* Government. When will it stop its dishonesty and avoid bringing discredit on its friends?

TnE appointment of Sir William Hall-Jones to tho Legislative Council is not only a, well-merited recognition of public service rendered but a convincing evidence of the change in the political standards of tho country brought about by the advent to office of the Keform Government. When one looks back over the past twenty odd years and reviews the actions of the Continuous Ministry, it is impossible to ignore the accumulated mass of evidence illustrative of the selfishness and greedy party spirit which throughout dominated the conduct of the party now in Opposition. _ Honours, public offices, minor positions—everything that it was within the power of Ministers to control was directed almost, invariably to their own benefit or that of their friends. The public interest, the canons of honesty and justice, were secondary considerations, or no consideration at all. The Reform Government has changed all that. Sir William Hall-Jones will make a valuable addition to tho ranks of the Legislative Council by virtue of his experience for several years as High Commissioner, and his long service as a member of Parliament and Minister of tho Crown. As a Minister of the Crown he was recognised as a conscientious, hardworking member of tho Seddon Government, who frequently disarmed criticism by his obvious desire to administer his Department to the best advantage. It was understood that for health reasons ho had decided not to re-enter the political arena, but in the Legislative Council he will not be called on to lead a very strenuous life, and this, no doubt, has influenced him in accepting nomination. While tho Government is to be congratulated on this appointment, it is to be regretted that Ministers did not see their way to make further additions to the ranks of the Legislative Council. They need stroncer representation there, and, as we pointed out on a recent occasion, appointments made now will only be anticipating the vacancies which will occur a few. months hence.

Some of tho Anti-Reform members seem to have peculiar ideas as to tho duties of politicians. During the debate on the Land Bill on Tuesday Me. Witty complained that tho. Government party was not "playing tho game," because one of their side was not put up to reply to each Opposition speaker. Mr. Witty, f or i us tance, had to follow Me. M'Oallum, one of his own colleagues. But why should the Government go out of its way to prolone the debates on its own measures? Every man in the Reform Party has a- perfect right to speak whenever ho thinks fit, so long as he does not break any of the rules of the House, but tho mere fact that some Opposition member chooses to fill a "few pages of Hansard, does not make it the duty of a Government supporter to do likewise. A member of Parliament should speak when ho feels that there is' something ho ought to say, and that is the only sensible way of "playing the game." Possibly no one on the Ministerial side of the House thought there was anything worth \replying to in Mr. M'Callum'b speech, ana if so, why should they waste time and words? As • a matter of fact, Opposition speakers replied effectively to one another during the discussion on the Land Bill, and many of them voted for the measure, when the division was taken.