Political Pellets.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 25, 25 August 1911, Page 8

Political Pellets.

Tlnirons in the Buller electorate are taking- a ballot as to whether they will rim ii candidate pledged to the objective N.Z.F.L. ■ * * ■* Tli© Government's method of settling the land""policy is by extending the freehold principle. That wall "settle it with a vengeance. , * * -:* Fisher, M.P., wants a college of heraldry established in N.Z., so tliat the "best" families, i.e., the most expert sweaters and lamd grabbe<rs, can hang out their shingle with tli ear symbols emblazoned. -::- * * The Legislative. Council is an eyesore, in the opinion of the "Otago Daily Times." To which we say f "Hear, hear!" * • * . * The much-talked-of readjustment has not had the effect of wiping out as ma.ny southern coiTS'titucincies as was expected. Only the Taieri suffers and Minister Tom Mackenzie will have to hunt for a "seat" elsewhere. * * * The Icelandic Parliament in May passed a biM giving th© rights of sxiffrage to all women who have reached. the age of twenty-five. * * ■* . H. Atmore, a political, aspuraait m Nelson, says he is strongly in favour of the freehold -policy, holding that the provision of "easy facilities to obtain land" is necessary because of Compulsory Military Training. Atmore says give the worker's something v> defend and they will not be> opposed to compulsory training! Showing Atmore ii'cit-iwir understands the land question oi , , the workers' opposition to conscription. a * * The microscopic deeds of the- Government are, by a process of contortion, being dangled before a confused public to hoodwink them during the next few months. t * * Disraeli said to an independent politician: "Damn your principles; stick to your paity." That text now guides N.Z. politicians. -i Lawry, M.P., of Parnell, placed the correct value upon himself when .he said he regarded himself as .a political culprit. And there are others. * ■ • * The jingoistic ideas of Malcolm, M.P., are iuflicted upon all and. sundry whenever occasion offers. In a weary dissertation the other day,, he proved to his own satisfaction that N.ZI was in for a sorry time from the "envious eyes" of other countries. Malcolm, of course, is in theia , confidence. * • a The Opposition is said to be in favor of proportional repa-esentation instead of our clumsy second ballot. A good measure and one that will eventuallybe adopted by all progressive countries, ■x- * * John Itigg, M.L.C., says that he has no fault to find with titles, ,but is of opinion that they should be more oral, so that anyone who wished to do so could tack '"Sir" or "Lord" or "'Honorable' or "Colonel" or "Captain" on to the front eiid of his name. * * * Massey had tears in his voice- the other day when he told a sympathetic House he had not yet been offered a title. However, he said he was not averse to anyone accepting a knighthood. ■ No doubt King George will take the hint and do the needful. * * * John Jackson, president Waterside Workers' Federation, and > secretary Greyniouth Wharf Laborers' -Union, has" forsaken the, ranks of unionism for the fruits of a Government job. Thus does Labor find itself left by the would-be leaders of the reactionist wing of the Labor movement. When will Labor's eyes be opened. The Socialist Tarty of Wellington has chosen 11. Hogg and F. Freeman, to contest Wellington Sduth and Central respectively at the forthcoming election . * ■ * * Wilford, M.P., says he regards the leasehold as a "stepping-stone to freehold." Might we suggest that everyone that "steps into freehold* thereby double-locks the door upon dozens of others. * :■ * The win of Is>itt by 700 votes over the Opposition candidate Hall for the seat rendered vacant through the death of T. E. Taylor, was by no means a greai one. Each candidate polled over 3000 votes.