THE Kaipara Advertiser AND WAITEMARA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1912. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 28 August 1912, Page 2

THE Kaipara Advertiser AND WAITEMARA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1912. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE.

THE debate which ended somewhat unexpectedly on Friday night is remarkable for two things chiefly. The first, the end of the land question as a disturbing political factor. Mr Massey promptly opened the party gate and let out all his followers to go as they pleased with Mr Craig's amendment affirming the advantages and privileges of the freehold. But the men all voted with him on the freehold side and more than half of the Opposition went with them. The division buried the land question and found its epitaph—l 4-25.

It demonstrated also the folly of those who, in putting together the late Government, included six leaseholders in its ranks. They were like all othor politicians at the moment, obsessed with the feai of what the land question might do. The same fear that gave, sleepless nights and a Land Commission to Seddon,that forced Ward into a fireworks of land bill rjsing like meteors to fall like sticks, and finally perched £h.p Mackenzie Ministry on its precariouy and short lived seat. Now

It is gone and the political road is clear for M&sspy. Tho latter is the lucky man who has drawn {,he prize of the lottery. It is labelled ■ " land" but the under label is '£' safety." The second feature of

the debate was the inability of the enemy to find a serious flaw of any kind in the budget. The Government is thus demonstrated to have chosen its line well. On the whole the debate was brief, comparatively, and the measures promised are not too many. It is doubtful if the chief of them, the reforming of the Council, will pass The councillors are engaged in picking holes in it to some tune, and may reject it. We shall see. The line taken chiefly is that the nominative principle is the sheet anchor of democracy, while application of the elective principle to the second chambes is democracy run mad. There are interesting developments before us surely. Civil Service Reform will supply the first sensational issue and then we may be ready for the end of the session. Perhaps we have seen enough of strenuous legislation for a year or two. Nothing presses except the desire of united labour to rule the universe, and that can well wait a bit.