LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2549, 25 August 1915, Page 10

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

• MR. ISITT AND. THE NATIONAL MINISTRY. Sir, —My attention has been directed to a long screed in your paper dealing with my iniquity in saying that Sir Joseph Ward's appointment as Minister of Finance in,the National Government is a vindication of that gentleman's personal character against the vile as- . persions he lias so long been subjected j to by members .of the. Reform Party. The gravamen of your charge is that • the statement introduces the party note. • lleally; sir, yon in your official capacity j the arch-humbug I •With what infinite ) grace this charge comes from an editor who one day after the formation of the j National Government wrote: "Those 5 who might' be inclined to view with ' douibt the placing of the Financial Departments under the control of Sir Joseph Ward should bear in mind that the Finance Minister in the National Cabinet will find little scope for financial wizardry." You will doubtless to be able to prove to the satisfaction of your Reform readers that this, and the exhortation that follows to Sir Joseph Ward to follow in tho footsteps of the Hon. Jas. Allen, is innocent of the party note.—l am, etc., LEONARD M. ISITT. August 24. [The "long screed" to which Mr. Isitfc refers appeared in our issue of August 17, and was as follows"With the formation of tho National Ministry it might _ have been expected that party bickerings for the time being .would be thrust into the background; but instead we find in two cases at least which have come- under our notice that even tho formation of the National Cabinet is seized on to attempt to make P'arty capital. Thus we have Mr. C. H. Poole, in an interview published in an. Opposition journal at Auckland,- proclaiming that:— ■ " 'The vindication of Sir Joseph ' Ward is clearly established "by his, being called upon at this critical juncture-to put the finances of the country in order. So, after years of harsh criticism; the Leader of tho Opposition finds himself in charge of tho Exchequer, and solving the problems of New -Zealand's financial ; future. 1 "Mr. Isitt, ,'of Chris'tchurcb, in another interview, used, almost the same phrases:— •' "'But, what a." vindication it has been of the man who was attacked right and left, and who now,' by tho obvious'wish of the whole of tho people, in the moment of trial, is placed in charge ,of the country's finances.' "Everyone who has followed the course of events in political circles knows quite well/that Sir Joseph Ward was not given the portfolio of Finance in the National Ministry because it was necessary to 'put the finances of the coitntry in order.' The public 'are well-awaro-that the finances of the country were in excellent order when, the- National Cabinet was formed, and they know also that Sir Joseph Ward 'was given < tho portfolio of Minister of Finance as part of tho bargain between the party leaders,' which resulted in a union of forces for the period'of the war. It happens that neithei- Mr. Poolo nor Mr. : Isitt is a person. of much consequence in political affairs; and what tlie.y think about tho National Cabinet, does not much matter.' But their ' statements show how. lamentably 'even some of our politicians fail to-, perceive the seriousness of tho real issues in the affairs of to-day." . - , Our .article' went on to contrast the admirable attitude of tho Hon. Dr. M'Nab with that of tho gentlemen, named above. It does .not s'irprise us that Mr.- Isitt 011 reading' Dr. M'Nab's remarks in juxtaposition to his own should be both angry and a.busivo. The contrast certainly was not likely to afford him any. ground for satisfaction.]