Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1930, Page 4

The interchange of compliments between prominent leaders of political thought at Home, was not complimentary to those concerned, and quite a reflection on those desirous of posing as Statesmen. The remarks credited to the several gentlemen would come as a surprise to most readers who would expect from cultured men a more modified expression even if they wished to be severe oh one another. ' The retort discourteous is not the way to win fame, nor is it an answer to their opponent. To be effective, each desired to go one “better” than the opponent, and this excess was their undoing and diseonrfiturc. The noble lords, and Air Baldwin in particular, have reputation enough to sustain them without attempting uncultured language, and to descend to it robs them of prestige, and at the same time gives a pointed weakness to their argument. The Victorian age was certainly more cultured in expression, and the examples just given in England show that the descent from a stilted past has been very marked. Mr Lloyd George has had always a. facility for picturesque expression. He can on occasion be very graphic. All through the war, he expressed a rare optimism with Some wonderful word pictures to convey bis uplifting meaning. He too, has been ,caught in the toils of the recent excesses, and sought to outdo Mi* Baldwin. What a mistake such taotics were, yet how easy could he have won distinction. 011 such nn occasion silence would indeed lmvo been golden, but, as did the others, allowed themselves to he provoked, and so the onnrry mischosen words were uttered. Tbe occasion is one for which all must feel sorry, because it indi-

cates a feeling and a tension in regard to public matters at Home which should not be so pronounced. r T ,i e situation calls for co-operation. Tbe leaders shold be. brought closer together, and not provoked to stand more and more a cart. Their care 1 ess wording will set back the clock of political progress and do the nation lasting harm.