NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2300, 6 November 1914, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

A diverting instance of a political candidate's ignoranco of the procedure ordinarily followed in railway construction was furnished in a speech delivered on Saturday, riight by Mr. Hornsuy, tho Wardist candidate for the Wairarapa seat. Dealing with tho subject of the projected Jeatherston-Martinborough railway, Mr. Hornsuy undertook to harrow the souls of his hearers with a story of Government perfidy and humbug. The ceremony of turning 'the first sod of this railway, he assured theni; was a well-rehearsed farce. Would it be credited, he asked, that the section in which the sod was turned had not been bought, that it belonged to a widow, that she was still compelled to pay rates on the property, and that she had not even been asked to state what she hoped to get for the land? No arrangement was made as to valuation. Mr; Hornsby solemnly urged the leading men of Martinborough to see to it that injustice to a poor woman was not allowed to continue. Since "the leading men of Martinborough" can scarcely have been so ill-informed as Mr. Hornsby in regard to the facts of the position, it is reasonable to suppose that they listened to this injunction with tongue in cheek. It is a pity to let daylight through such a pretty and pathetic little story, but facts are facts, even when they upset a candidate's amusing, theories aboiit. railway construction. • The facts in this case are that when the Public Works • Department has a railway to construct it is a common practice to construct it, or begin to construct l't, and buy tho land as occasion demands. The route of a railway .being once fixed, as tha,t of the Featherstori-Martinborough line has been, it cannot be departed from, 'and tho custom of tho Department is to go on with its work, and either come to an arrangement with the property owners through whoso land the line passes, or have the compensation assessed by legal in' the manner provided by the Public Works . Act. The law makes provision for this\ Mr. Hornsby would presumably regard this as a highhanded and tyrannical procedure, but very few people regard the appearance of a railway in their district as a calamity. Most of them hail it with joy, especially as those whose land is traversed by the lino are entitled to compensation. Mr. Hornsby told his audienco that there was no mention of the proposed railway in the list of lines to bo constructed this year, but- he evidently forgot to mention that Parliament the other day voted £15,000 for the prosecution of tho work. It is not to be expected, of course, that merely practical details of this nature should bo allowed to upset Mr. Hornsby's amusing little discovery.

The decision of Me. John Bollaed not to be a candidate for the House of Representatives at the forthcoming General Election will be regretted by people of all shadeß of political opinion. During the eighteen years he haß sat in the House as member for Eden he 'has won the respect and confidence of his fellow members,-and his manifest sincerity and straightforwardness in speech and action nave won him the admiration of friend and foe alike. The presentation which he rcoeived on Wednesday evening was a fitting recognition of his long period of public service both in Parliament and in the Bphere of local government. Mr. Bollard has proved him-, self a citizen of the best type, and all will regret that advancing years have compelled him to take a less prominent part in political life. Mr.' 0. J. Parr, the Mayor of Auckland, is the Reform candidate for Eden, and Mr. Bollard has advised the electors who have supported him so faithfully for the past eighteen years to vote for Mr. Parr. The general opinion seems to be that Mr. Parr's election is assured. He should make an able and useful member.

Commenting! on Sir Joseph Ward's recent policy speech, the Christchurch Tress expresses its sympathy for those who had hoped,_ _ despite their fears, that tho Opposition programme would be "stimulating, distinctive, and purposeful." The longdeferred announcement has certainly created little enthusiasm even in the ranks of the Opposition, and there is nothing in it sufficiently stimulating or purposeful to mako converts. The Press remarks that "almost the only parts of it which are likely to be regarded as good are vague undertakings to do what the Reform Party is doing and will continue to do."

'l'lio truth of the mutter is that the Leader of the Opposition can find no distinctive'policy which he dare adopt. The present Government has shown itself honftst mid democratic; it has restored order in the region of national finance; it lum passed a muss of proijrcasivo and

humane legislation beyond the dreams and beyond the capacities of "Liberalism"; it lias shown-itself capable of dealing efficiently with crises In war time and in time of peaoe; it has exposed in all their hollownoss the foolish pleas of the Opposition that Eeforia is reactionary. Wardism has always been os prolific in promise aa it has been barren in performance; whereas the Reform Party bases its claim to the confidence of the people on its deeds. The legislation wnicn has actually been placed, on the Statute Book during the present Government's term of office is a convincing reply. to those critics who would like to persuade the electors that Keform is reactionary. .

t In three of the most eventful years in the_ history of ,the Dominion— years in which disaster to the country was only to bo averted by the courage and wisdom of the men who control the country's affairs—the Massey Government have not only contrived to deal with troubles without precedent in thiß country as they arose, but have achieved one of the biggest legislative programmes ever attempted by any Government of ours. Backed by a party commanding a comparatively small majority in the House, the Government have had the satisfaction of getting through the three sessions without having had a single adverse motion carried against' them. Much of the credit for this remarkable record is due to the Government Whips, Mr. D. H. Gttthrie and Mr. W. NosWORthy. It has been their duty to inform their chief, the Prime Minister, what proposals were likely to meet with opposition, what attacks ■were likoly to be made upon him, and on what questions ho might count upon a majority. How excellent their political reconnaissances have been is proved by' the result, which should give .to thera and their party very great satisfaction. Of course tho Government Party was loyal. It is composed of men who stand for the principles which have found expression in tho legislation passed. But days and nights of patient—patient because silence was the only means of getting business done—endurance of slanderous attack will put the nerves of the most .equable of men out of tune, and the fact that tho discipline in the party —a discipline maintained almost wholly by the intelligent advicc and suasion of the Party Whips—has been so perfect, is proof of the splendid service rendered to the Government by the two gentlemen who have been detailed for this very important work. Even through the most stubborn obstructive debates of the Opposition, the party has never failed to keep at call a sufficient number of its members to ensure a majority, and this has compelled members to endure very irksome physical fatigue and discomfort. Generally speaking, a member will forgo comfort for duty, but to induce forty members all to forgo well-earned relaxation for duty at the same time, to see day after day the same line of duty, ana to follow it, may be assumed to be not always the easiest of tasks. Even equable men are not always equable, but the exigencies of Parliament leave room for very few concessions to personal whims. The duty 6f the Whips is an onerous and trying one, calling for a raro combination of firmness and tact, sternness, and geniality in those'who would be successful. Not onoe so far as we can recall have Mr. Guthrie or Mr. Nosworthy failed in their appointed task.

The Opposition, prospers _ in Raglan are not bright. The Bitting member, Me. R. F. Bollard, won the seat by a large majority at the last election, and he will probably repeat the performance at the approaching polls. The Opposition is naturally anxious that their very remote chance of a win shall not be \ converted into absolute certainty of defeat by the splitting of votes which must result unless the "Democratic" candidate (Mr. Furnibs) retires from the .contest The correspondent of the Auckland Star Btates that at a, meeting held at the mining township of Glenmassey a re-solution-was carried asking Me,. Fueniss to stand aside in favour of the Opposition candidate (Mb; ' W. D. Thompson). Whether Mb. kiss will stand down remains to ba seen. In any case, Me. Bou>abd will probably win with a good deal to spare. He knows the -district, and its needs thoroughly, and he 'has shown himself to be a popular and useful member of the House. -