PROGRESSIVE MEASURES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 183, 10 August 1901, Page 3

PROGRESSIVE MEASURES.

[Contributed.]

There is both logic and consistency in the statement that “ Imitation is the sineerest form of flattery.” Yet the men who are far enough in advance of their age to be copied are not always in an enviable position. They must penetrate into the region of experiment, and be content to be regarded as hairbrained self-seekers. When they come to be imitated the hour of their triumph has arrived. It is often a weary uphill toil, for public opinion is slow to move in the direction of change. Our Government must feel flattered by the fact that the advanced legislation which has often brought scathing criticism upon their heads is not only eagerly watched, but imitated by other nations. These reflections have been suggested by the cable which states that an old age pension scheme has been put into operation in Belgium, by which aid has been given to one hundred and seventy-five thousand persons of over 65 years of age. While it cannot be denied that in a few cases the pension has been abused, we think it is undeniable that all right-thinking people have derived no small comfort from the knowledge that so many deserving individuals have received help in old ! age after having spent many years of hard toil to bring the country to its present desirable and prosperous condition. That the abuses which are inseparable from every new system will be corrected as time goes on we have not the slightest doubt. Meanwhile it must be very gratifying to the Premier to find that he has not only the vote of the colonists as a vindication of his general policy, but that some of the most prominent and daring measures are being adopted elsewhere. While on this subject we cannot help paying a tribute to the late Sir John McKenzie. When he commenced to work for the settlement of the lands of the colony he had to face a powerful Opposition. Capital was arrayed against him, and timidity of a vague kind caused many who wore in sympathy with his aims to look askance at his proposals. But ho brought to his task that keen sagacity which is always the outcome of hard-bought experience. His knowledge of the position drew forth his sympathy for the working man and the would-be settler, and his honesty of purpose atoned for the defects which drew upon him the criticism of the more refined. Many a man who is carving out a home for himself and securing a competence for his family will cherish with gratitude the name of John McKenzie. We could do with more such sturdy honesty in Parliament to-day ; mere culture and cleverness can never take its place, especially if culture be, as the itinerant preacher said, “simply the whitewash on a rascal.” While the party in power may well be proud of their achievements, we venture to express the hope that they will still manifest far-seeing sagacity and remember that “ pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” The day has passed when the monied autocrat can issue .the commands of insolence and be obeyed, but the public temper will not stand it if it means simply making way for an autocrat of another kind