THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1009, 20 February 1912, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

The Post (Independent) which has been in the past rather favourably inclined towards the Ward Government, is bitingly satirical in windrng up its leading article referring to the Governor’s speech delivered on Friday last. It says : “ Craft and subtlety characterise the speech. It may be deduced that before Lord Islington agreed to voice the Government's mind —that mind so wonderfully remade —he had to be assured that bis advisers had a reasonable prospect of securing the confidence of the House of Representatives. It may be presumed that the Governor would not permit himself to be the vehicle for expressing a mere manifesto. The Government cannot, of course, prevail for any length of time unless certain men, pledged to defeat the Government, re-adjust themselves. In the ultimate trial of strength the Government may be hoping to salve the consciences ot such persons by representing itself as a renovated institution with no connection with the old firm. We have emphatically given our opinion on this matter. We cannot honour any Government which tries to lengthen its life by devious shifts. It is a desperate extravagance of promise. Last session Sir Joseph Ward remarked that the Local Government Bill alone was big enough to use up one session. According to that estimate the projects in the Governor’s speech would require at least five or six years.” “ What do I think of it?” repeated Mr Massey in answer to a question regarding the Governor’s speech. ” It reminds me ot the ancient saying that whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad, but really at a time like this and after the electors have just passed judgment upon the Ministry, it is almost an insult to the intelligence of members and of

the public to have such transparent twaddle put forward and dignified by the name of a Governor’s speech. It is almost impossible to take the thing seriously, and iu any case, extravagant promised made at the eleventh hour, when the Government has no longer the confidence of the country, will not atone tor the political crimes and follies of past years.”