The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, AUGUST 17, 1906.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1836, 17 August 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, AUGUST 17, 1906.

It would bo useless to apoculate about what the new Ministerial programme will contain when the Premier delivers his expected pronouncements in WeL liDgton in regard to it; but, as betting in this colony is not altogether illegal, the “ bottom dollar ” may be staked that the speech from the throne when Parliament meets will not contain any reference to the introduction of a Pill for the suppression, or minimising of tho number, of political banquets. So frequent have thoso functions becomo now-a-days that one is almost justified in tho belief that Liberalism (that is, the modern type of Liberalism) cannot exist without them. In former times they were the exception to the rule ; but now they are the rule, and a successful candidate for Parliament, or a membor of Parliament who succeeds to a portfolio is not looked upon as fully Hedged until the customary banquet has been tendered and duly I takes place. That being the ease, one I naturally enquires what eau96S there j are for such jubilations and change of ■ custom, and as a rule the causes are not far to seek. The patentees of the process appear to bo the organisation known as tho Liberal and Labor Federation, certaiu members of which never fail to spend their guineas in this way, and when it is discovered that in each district where an enthusiastic little coterio of that body runs tho show tho same names are notice* able on the toast lists again and again. Nor does tho circumstantial evidence end there, for amongst those names are usually to bo found those of gentlemen who have been elevated to some public position, such as the Legislative Council, the Land Board

tho Bench of Juafcices, or some other office for which they are eminently unfitted. Thero are some, of course, who have not received appointments of any kind, but who have expectations, and there arc just a few, a very few, who attend those functions merely with tho expectation of having a goof time for their money and going home satisfied. But they are all Liberals

and profess to believe in the doctrine

of “ equality of opportunity ” as expounded by the great Liberal leaders who are usually the guests who attend

on a complimentary ticket. Even those who pay never stop to think of

putting their Liberal principles to tbe test by enquiring whether all Liberals have equal opportunity of attending,

'ov it i.fi not oiuntgh to Ray that th° lanquot roam is opoii to all who will pay a guinea for the privilege. That looa not constitute an “ equal opportunity ” to thoRO who cannot (ind the necessary coin vvitliout porhapa cribbing their children of a few loaves of broad. Hut these things novor detract from the merriment at a Liberal banquet whoro Liberalism has its abiding place and is rodueod to concrete verbiage by the chosen orators of the party These gentlomen as a rule aro past mastors of the art of declaiming against class privileges and such other alleged anti-Liberal things as occur to them in tho momont of their exhilaration, knowing as they do that they are surrounded by sympathisers, and that tho illogical naturo of their pullings is not likely to bo assailed. Thoy never remombor that there is a dill-rouce of a guinea and a decent suit of clothes (if not a swallow tail) in tho “ equality of privilege ” which thoy aro enjoying and that of tho thousands of their follow Liberals who cannot bo present for tho want of it. Yet tho longest road has its turning, and two of tlio latest banquets given under tho auspices of modern Liberalism alford hopeful signs that tho pi 111 J of the above nature to which wo have become accustomod will some day give place to independent expressions of thought and commonsen3o. And although these signs come from men who have udmittodly stultified thomsolves to please an imperious, autocratic ruler, they iuo uono the less hopeful, though wo can havo little rospect for tho politician who admits that he has smothered his opinions to please any man. Mr Lawrv at an Auckland suburban branch Liberal Association banquet froely stated that tho Ministry as constituted did not pleaso him, and Mr Baumo on tho samo occasion exhibited a little more backbone than is usually his wont; but it remains for Mr A. AY. Rutherford to afford the greatest contrast between past and present in tho matter of after-dinner Liboral harangues. Albeit his admission of past political inanity was by no means creditable to him. ‘ Feted at Cheviot last week ho thus delivered himself in opposition to Mr Fowlds’ inclusion in the Ministry:—“Whilst “the late Premier held the reins of ‘ power, lie was such an autocrat that “ thoy had to do as he wished or be “ carpeted, and tho rosult was that “ they wero callod by tho Opposition “ dumb dogs. Ho could assure them, “ however, that that day was past. As “ far as ho was concerned ho intended “in the future to speak his mind ou “ many mattors, and he knew of many “ others in the House who would do “ the samo.” What an appalling ad - mission. Tho opulent Mr Rutherford, with a framo and a fist even bigger than that of Mr b'eddon, “ had to do as ho (Seddon) wished ” because he wa3 afraid to be “ carpeted,” and the great Liberal party was in a like condition of servility. What became of majority rule” and “equal opportunity,” the very essence of all Liberal propaganda, under such woeful conditions ? Are we not entitled to ask the question, Where is true Liberalism to be found '? and it admits of no answer that will include the so-called Liberal organizations. They may prate about “ equality' of opportunity,” “ majority rule” and all the other to them stock meaningless phrases, but the essence of true democracy they apparently never knew. But listen further to what this Liberal sage had to say : “ For “ instance, he would draw attention in “ future to the gross mismanagement “in connection with co-operative “ works, their costly nature, and tne “incompetent way in which, in many “instances, they wore being carried •Jtn-, 'uiuny ui mu uu'Opurauvo “ works had beon carried out in a “ business like manner, we should to- “ day have had railways finished that ‘‘ were still earning nothing, and they “ would havo been finished at a less “ cost. He would also raise his voice “ against one section of the Govern- “ ment employees being treated differ- “ ently from another, as was done “ when tho Addington Workshops “ men were giveu a holiday on full “ pay on tho death of tlio Premier, but “ the Government omploymes at Ethel - “ ton had their wages docked. That “kind of thing ‘riled’ him, and he “ was going to do all he could to com- “ pel tho Government to give the same “ consideration to all classes of their “ employees. His (deddon’s) government was an autocratic one, and he “ was an autocrat, but he was always “ preaching to all classes and all sec- “ tions of the community : ‘ Q-o slow, “go slow; you will get all you want “in good time.’ The late Premier “was no doubt tho most brilliant “ Promier we had ever had or prob- “ ably would have in New Zealand.” And then we aro told Mr Rutherford resumed his seat amidst loud and continuous applauso. Applause for what ? For admittedly neglecting his dnty as a Member of Parliament in the past in refusing to raise his voice against incompetence and waste of public money because forsooth “ the Government was an autocratic one ” and the Premier “ was an autocrat.” But now Mr Rutherford (Oft (Jiu iu his vamps and reputedly one of the richest sheepfarmers iu the colony) is going to be a good little boy and will spoak his mind ” and continue to be tho Liboral member for Hurunui, Then tho Liberals of Cheviot shout Hooray at this awful exposition of Liboral politics, [Other expressions made in regard to it will not be printed j