The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, December 19, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1084, 19 December 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, December 19, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

It is pleasing to note that a lair precentage of members returned to Parliament at the recent election, are New Zealand born and educated, while others have been resident in the Dominion for 25 years and upwards. The member for Otaki, Mr Robertson, we believe, holds the record for the latest new-comer who has won a seat. According to the circular issued by bis nominators the Manawatu Flaxmilis Employees Union : “Comrade Robertson came to New Zealand from Scotland

uearly 10 years ago. He has taken a keen interest in Labour and Social questions from an early age. He was a pioneer member of the Labour Party of Great Britain, and has never swerved from its principles since. His chief work here has been done in the organisation of the Dairy Factory Workers —a task which would be heart-breaking to any one not of the toughest fibre and most determined zeal. The case he presented to the Arbitration Court on behalf of that body was remarkable for the logical grasp he showed of the economics of the industry. He is recognised as an able debater, with a well-trained mind and is a fighter through and through.” The Flaxraills Employees’ Union are delighted with their victory, but whether Labour will be able to retain the seat depends entirely upon the future attitude of the candidate, tie is opposed both to Ward and Massey’s policies as set forth at the hustings, and is indebted to the Opposition for his election. Perhaps Mr Massey will include Labour’s demands in his future programme, and in that case. Mr Robertson will probably become a member of that party. Labour is bound to make the best bargain it can, but Mr Robertson will have to be careful which way he iumps, for the “flaxies” have a mighty big prejudice against Mr Massey. Further, the Government in opposition will be on its mettle, and some of the best fighters and debaters are still to be found on the side of the Liberals. Perhaps Otaki’s elect will sit tight on the fence until the Land Question is up for settlement.

Reviewing the political position in a uou-partisau way, Sir John Findlay pointed out at Auckland the great extent to which the country’s destinies were, through the ballot-box, controlled by young New Zealanders of between twenty-one and twenty-seven years of age. In a large measure, he said, the future of New Zealand depended upon the moral qualities and general character of these young sons of the Dominion.

The Sydney Telegraph commenting on New Zealand's political situation, says it exceeds any margin an elastic imagination could have allowed for. It looks os though the people want a change, but are not quite certain in what direction. Unless the way to a workmanlike solution of the problem can be found by a combination of the main parties, leaving the dissident elements to crystalise into an Opposition, the unattached sections may exercise a dangerous influence.