RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 414, 15 November 1911, Page 6

RANDOM REMARKS.

By "Onlooker." Politics are as old as the J earth; at least they are older than history, and apparently political ideas have altered little in their journey down the arch of Time. A trifling difference in the method of dealing with political opponents exists, but not so much as appears on the face of things. The ap proved political method of dealing with an adversary in primitive times was with a club, or any other handy weapon. In this advanced age instead of laying out an adversary his character only is attacked. Even at that fine distinctions are drawn, and that elusive thing commonly referred to as political character, is made the medium of much strong language. No harassing learsof the libel law existed in olden times, so it appears to have been an unnecessary waste of life and energy to have adopted physical force when an open field existed for the free and unfettered use of language. Evidently primitive man was not-elo-quent in rhetoric or he would not have wasted such a golden opportunity. When the sacredness of hmuan life bceame a recognised sentiment, a brake was put on the club practice. Later on when the. value of character claimed recognition the libel law cramped the free use of rhetoric. Now we have character with an adjective to stir vituperative eloquence. We are an adaptable people. After all politics is mainly adaptability.

Party Government h one of the cherished institutions of our country, and a fine genial hoary headed specimen of its class. Some unimaginative people have been heard to denounce it, but hitherto nobody has evinced sufficient constructive ability to suggest a system calculated to improve matters. What a tame and monotonous thing would our Parliament descend to were there no opposition to ruling power. What a dreary time would general elections mean if rival candidates could not slang each other, and tear their respective political characters to tatters. Non-party Government would resemble a game of football in which all players were against the man with the ball. To score would be impossible. Either that or all the players would be with the man who had the ball, and the score would reach farcical figures. Progress would be too rapid. At the same time it is quite probable ttiat in his quiet moments Mr Massey would admit that Sir Joseph Ward was a capable man who was striving his utmost to further the interests of the Dominion to the best of his ability. In like manner Sir Joseph Ward would probably admit the same of Mr Massey; yet, because of the Party Shibboleth, we have the experience of seeing two of New Zealand's leading citizens filling the newspapers with abuse. Of course they are each careful to confine their attacks to political character. They are gentlemen.

Trout fishing is still being indulged in along the shady reaches of the beautiful Wanganui, despite the lamentable accident to a commissariat which happened on the opening day of the season, The Wanganui seems to have been the scene of many remarkable happenings this season. A well known and highly successful angler, who was not concerned in the commissariat mystery had a narrow escape. He was crossing the river some distance above the rapids when a treacherous rolling stone underfoot caused his downfall. His waders filled and the strong current carried him down the rapids towards deep water where he would inevitably have been drowned. The story of the escape at this stage becomes rather confused, but from what an unbiassed listener can gather the angler seems to have escaped certain death by walking ashore on his hands, or by turning Catherine wheels. This is not an orthodox fish story, as it must be given credence. Still, Catherine wheels!—;

Harking back to the commissariat business a ray or two of light has filtered through the dark cloud of mystery which has hitherto enveloped the case. At first it seemed as if the narrow escape previously recorded must have been connected with the disappearance; but an alibi has been successfully established, and circumstantial evidence has once again been confounded. Anglers will be interested to learn that the long arm of the law is supposed to have been concerned. As to whether it was a cas? of malice aforethought, or whether it was the opposite there appears to be some doubt. Anyhow we all know that when a stray commissariat in the King Country comes into contact with he law the commissariat suffers.

An interesting point in connection with the forthcoming vote on the question of National Prohibition has been advanced by an enthusiast who avers that if National Prohibition is carried the farmer is going to suffer In the event of Prohibition being carried an enormous amount of revenue will have to be made up from other sources than liquor. The natural result will be a large increase in the land tax, and the farmer will have to pay for the privilege of keeping his follow man strictly on the water waggon. The argument is ingenious and bears the stamp of sincerity. The bulk of taxation bears upon the land, and certain experts in economics declare that all taxation should be borne by land. Still there are other methods of raising the wind. For instance, why not make every person who votes prohibition guarantee pro rata the amount of lost revenue in the event of the national vote being carried. It would be a cheerful thing if you could tax the Trade to the same effect, but there are difficulties in the way of taxing a business that has ceased to eixat.