MR MACKENZIE’S CONVERSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2070, 23 December 1907, Page 4

MR MACKENZIE’S CONVERSION

PRESS COMMENT. Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Dec. 21. All three local newspapers make reference to 'Mr Tom Mackenzie's political conversion. The Ministerial journal does not look upon his change of front with any- great degree of favor. In the course of a sub-leader it says: —“Whether his late pronouncement means that he lias tired of the intellectual exorcise required to .make resolutions from day to day wo cannot tell. Perhaps like many more distinguished if not more capable men he yearns for the repose to be found only in settled reliance upon authority, or it may bo that ho discerns greater chances of promotion in a party of sixty than in a party of one.” ' The Times evidently does not like Mr 'Mackenzie’s “reasons” for the change. In regard to his all usion to the change in public alfa irs and the danger ahead' as to the extreme section of tile liberal party holding the balance of power it says:—“There is nothing occult in the allusion. All' Mackenzie is referring to the radical section of the luberal party, and though it would be pleasant to think that the member for Waikouaiti is not in full! sympathy with those who are endeavoring to put a wedge in the line of cleavage between labor and what is known as Liberalism there is nodoubt that he is helping them. He may imagine that lie is a prophet, hut he is in reality an apostle.”

The “Dominion” thinks that perhaps the extinction of liis Waikouaiti constituency and the fact that the only seats open to him are to bo contested by Opposition candidates have as much to do with his decision as any now discovery of Ministerial virtue that he may have made. It is l not easy to convert an independent M.P. into a dependent when Tio is a popular man and possesses a rafo seat, but when his constituency has disappeared he becomes wonderfully open to conviction, says the “Dominion”. As to his suggestion that tlioro is nothing left now for sane men to do save join the Premier’s following tli is journal says that at Pukekoho Mr. Massey showed quite cleaa'ly the impossibility of a Massey-Ward coalition under present conditions even with iMr Massey .and his party on the benches. The Government last session toc/k a long stride in the direction of land nationalisation. How far would the Government not have gone if thcro were no Opposition to check it? How far would it not have gone in 1906? But for the Opposition the Government would, amidst the applause of its supporters, have passed a Land Bill which Dr Findlay has denounced as having beensodeeplv tainted with injustice as to defy all attempts at improvement. Hero there is one good reason why a man may be sane and yet refuse to bring his" weapons into the camp of the Government. To coalesce with the Government and swallow the principles lie has for. years advocated would, oil Mr Massey's part,the “Dominion” points out, be “a more remarkable tergiversation than Mr Mackenzie’s judicious dctr.ut from his fence into the most profitable .paddock.”

The “Post” sees the humorous side of the situation. It says: —“The member for Waikouaiti bias acknowledged his heresy, has renounced liis old faith, has donned the red jersey and has come humbly to the .penitent form. Ho has said to the world that henceforth he will be happy to kneel at the feet of Sir Joseph. He deserves praise for this outspoken declaration of allegiance. I I©lias found liis ideal in the policy of the present Ministry. In other days ho Was in the darkness of a wilderness where there were many roads and many voices calling. He hearkened to none of them and kept his own counsel with his eye ever watching for the star that would lead him to the high road of salvation. The star has come —the wanderer is in the fold. There will be much rejoicing among the Liberal shepherds over this sheep, that was found—it will be a happy Christmas for Mr Mackenzie. He has that host of all peace-makers—the feeling that ho has discovered his homo at last. No more will lie he tossed upon seas of doubt. He whose mind was once rent by conflicting thoughts will now have perfect peace. His thoughts may be made for him to some extent. He lias chosen the definito track at last.”