PRESENT-DAY POLITICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2538, 3 February 1923, Page 2

PRESENT-DAY POLITICS.

IT is undeniable (bat there has been a progressive decline in the men of first-class ability in our pilities, says the Sydney Daily Telegraph. No party machine goes about looking for men of genius or outstanding ability as its candidates. The party machine stands behind the man who can capture it, and the qualities required fo capture (he support of a political machine have nothing to do with distinction in personality. There is no warrant for believing that the brain capacity of' Australians has myslriously plunged into mediocrity since the days of the first Federal Parliament, when Barton, Reid, Deakin, Kingston, and oilier figures of that ‘time were on the political stage. While such commanding personalities are no longer in politics, these is no proof that they are non-existent. The probability is rather that they do exist, bill are no longer attracted to politics. Tf wo seek for Ihe cause of their repulsion from the political life in Australia, wo need not look beyond the lowered level of politics, due to payment of politicians and the operations of the party machine. One notable argument for payment of members was that it would open the doors of: Parliament to “the pour man” and thereby widen the field of choice so that the intellectual level of Parliament would inevitably be lifted. That has not resulted. Politics, instead, has become a profession, and the incentive of public service for its own sake has absolutely disappeared. This change repels the men to whom the monetary rewards of politics are unattractive. While payment of members must continue, for it is logical necessity in a modern democracy. the party machine is unnecessary and could be profitably destroyed. Were it to disappear the ability which refuses to court the favour of the party machine might not lie unwilling to submit to the unfettered suffrages of the people. Only bv the destruction of the machine can the people regain their lost opportunity to choose the best men to represent them in Parliament.