MR A. W. HOGG, M.P

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 472, 26 August 1909, Page 2

MR A. W. HOGG, M.P

Those who were fortunate in hearing Mr Hogg’s address in the Masonic Hall, on Tuesday night, on the reasons which led up to his retirement from the Ministry, and also his views on the Laud and Currency questions, were well satisfied, and are beginning to think the matter over. That his action ia resigning from Cabinet met with approval, was evinced by the hearty rounds of applause which greeted his explanation. Had Mr Hogg gone down on his waistcoat button and expressed public regret for having given utterance on the floor of the House to convictions on the currency and land question—the result of years of study and close observation he would sti’l be a member of Cabinet —arm 'in the public eye a political jelly INh ! 11 is refreshing to find in Mr Hogg a politician who is prepaerd to put principle before pelf and glamour, and to refuse to prostitute his manhood to any party. He has also shown himself to be a humanitarian —or, as the late Mr Seddou would say, a “humanist” —and he has the consolation of knowing that his utterances and action are approved and applauded by thousands of his fellow men and women fbrougiiont the Dominion. Alter alb vyhat do his utterances, which caused such a commotion, amount to when closely analysed? Would the issue of a paper currency injure the credit of the Dominion on the London money market as tremblingly suggested by the Prime Minister? it would probably annoy the Shylocks, who would not dare, however, to turn “rusty.” Mr Hogg has greater faith in our natural resources and productiveness than has the Prime Minister. What a falling off from John Ballauce’s self-reliant policy. It is only a question of time when the people of this country will demand an alteration in the present borrowing policy, in favour of the control of our own currency, and, if need be, the issue or a paper cur rency as against sending millions annually out of the country in interest. The man who to-day has been turned down by the Ministry and mauled by animated money bags and laud grabbers will, in the future, be pointed to as the one who prepared public opinion for the change that will come if we discern the signs of the times aright.