The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, June 18, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1260, 18 June 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, June 18, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Almost every constituency throughout the Dominion has beeu visited by members of the Ministry and prominent members of the Opposition during the recess which is now drawing to an end, prior to the last session of the present Parliament. Apart from the peripatetic movement of party leaders, local M’s.P. have been busy explaining to their constituents how they have justified the acceptance of their honorarium and sundry other perquisites. A “flying squadron,” consisting in the main of so-called Independents, have been busy up and down the Dominion, firing squibs at the Government and tickling the ears of the groundlings with magnified charges ot ineptitude against the present Ministry—the awful champions ot land monopoly and wealth. It is amusing to read the utterances of these one-time Independents in the light of their pre-election speeches. The fact is, they realise that, in order to keep in the game of politics, they must establish some sort of a reputation outside their own electorates by posing as destructive critics. Any fool can pull down, but it takes a master mind to construct. They do not give the Government credit for anything —not even for breaking the back of the most dangerous revolutionary pack that has yet threatened the destruction of Constitutional government and the industrial welfare of this country. Their criticisms, viewed in the light of calm reason, proclaims them as strap-hangers of the Opposition. While Party government obtains, a healthy Opposition is essential, hut there is no room for the wobbler. The people of this country will soon be called upon to make choice between the present Government, which no fair-minded person will deny has put up a fine record under most trying circumstances, the Opposition, with its past record, and the divided Labour faction. The present indicates that the Massey

Party are everywhere in the ascendant, and we believe the Ship oi State can be safely entrusted to tham for a time.

The Review of Reviews quotes from the Irish Homestead, a nonparty organ of the co-opeiative movement in Ireland, winch has always maintained a sensible and unbiassed attitude upon the question of Home Rule. Describing what would happen iu ihe country if legislators fail to come to an agreement, it says:— “We write with exasperation about this matter, because . . .

we see the possibility ot nearly all the work co-operators have been engaged in suffering wreck. Economically we are already backward in comparison with other nations, and cannot afford the luxury of making Ireland into a national Donnybrook fair, where institutions are wrecked as well as heads cracked. We were progressing towards some kind of a civilisation. If our political leaders will not show more statesmanship we will go back to barbarism. . . . The com-

mercial travellers of one province would get no orders in provinces of a hostile political character. The banks would find that deposits and accounts would be withdrawn. It is doubtful whether they would be able to realise securities rapidly enough to be able to pay cash to their customers, Anyhow, the financial stringency would create a profound industrial depression and prevent trade development. We would have the unemployed with us more than ever. . There would be all kinds of personal, vendettas, Corsican in character and bitterness, where families had lost members or relatives in the struggle. It would need a new divine incarnation and all the power of heaven brought down again fresh to earth to heal over the wounds which might be inflicted on our national life.’’