Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1901. UNHAPPY MR. MEREDITH.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 December 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1901. UNHAPPY MR. MEREDITH.

When a member of the House of Rep-

resentatives decides to change his support it is generally advisable to count the cost, attendant upon such turn over. To tax the memory keenly as to how far he has trusted his former friend with confidences that were not intended for the public ear. And if he finds that be has given himself into his hand, and is yet determined to leave, it is better and.wiser far to be courteous With his erstwhile friend, and above all things abstain from attacking or slandering him. If a different course is adopted, the deserting one is pretty sure to strike trouble Truly enough Mr Meredith has found it so, and the singular part of it is that ho finds no sympathising friend on either side, and the more he explains the deeper he gets in the mire. Even Christchurch Truth, that loves not Seddon nor his party, has an unkindly kick. “Poor Meredith!” it says, “ what a fuss he is making to be sure. He is very like the bee with the treacle pot —the more often he returns to it, the more sticky he gets. Let him eschew Glentui henceforth; it is a word of ill omen. It recalls memories that are unpleasant, and reflections that are unkind. It destroys our faith in the politican and shatters our illusions about the member for Ashley.” We have only to glance for a moment at Mr. Meredith’s utterances, past and present, to realise how sharp the change, how delightfully inconsistent and unreliable the opinions and statements of Mr. Meredith. During last session the Member for Asnley surprised every one by exhibiting marked hostility to the Government, and, getting a trifle nasty in his denunciations, the Premier brought before the House the Glentui estate business, hinting that this was the cause of the turn-over. Then matters became lively. But the “ incidents” on that occasion have been already reported. But what is not so well known is “ the extent ” of Mr. Meredith’s change. If we place his utterances in parallel columns it will be easier guaged.

Addiessing his con- In 1897 speaking o n sti'.uantstheji t'lerday the Address-in-Reply he anthematised the he said I have had a Premier from every great deal to do with point of view, ac- the Premier in his oused him pjainly of positions as Minister untruthfulness and of Justice and Depractica.ly of theft, fence, as Minister for impeached the Minis- Public Works, and as try on almost every Premier and Colonial act of policy and ad- Treasurer, and I must ministration: indeed say that in all my preferred an indict- communications with ment that, for vitrio- the honorable gentlelie attack, has not man I have found him been surpassed by the speaking for myself, most irresponsible simply truthful, courmember of the regu- teous, and honorable, lar Opposition. . . I would sooner take the Premier’s word than souie men’s oath’s.” Yet Mr. Meredith now paints the Premier as a monster of inveracity, and, on the other hand, Captain Russell as a gentleman of the first water. Alas for human consistency and political conviction, when personal interest and human pride intervene! The Member for Ashley has placed himself in a very false light, and the Premier reputation is in no way tarnished by his former supporter’s violent objurgations.