Political Pellets.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 27, 8 September 1911, Page 8

Political Pellets.

"The- Minister of Eternal Affairs" is what a Socialist neatly dubbed our Internal Minister the other day.

Findlay has been classed as "courageous" by some papers because of his declaration that- lie intended to seek election to the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, his search for a seat is becoming pathetic.

"Fiddy" Munro, erstwhile democrat and disciple of Fra Hubbard, has been dubbed the Reform Party's candidate for the Buller electorate. Has he come to that in his savage, desire to be a politician ?

The squabble over the invitation® to the Coronation crawl shows that the reason N.Z. Parliamentarians were not fully represented was not because of democratic objections, but through a misunderstanding.

A. W. Hogg is to bo congratulated on his consistency in introducing his "Abolition of Duties on Food Bill." He drags it forward at regular intervals.

When A. R. Barclay introduced his now famous measure affirming tho desirability of the State controlling the food supply, Poland, of Ohinemuri, voted against it. Yet the other week at Waihi he had the brazen effrontery to deny having done so. Verily, politicians and truth are strangers.

A slab of vindictiveness from Granny "Argus" of Greymouth:—"One of the most conspicuous features of Mr. Webb's political platform is said to be a six . hours' day of labor, and other planks of the Socialist political platform to correspond, such as Governtaking hold of all the industries of tho country. The printed platform seems to be for private circulation, not general. At any rate, the proud possessors of copies of the platform are reluctant to part with them. But the platform is apparently what might be expected from the Federation of Labor."

Dr. Rangihiroa, Maori M.P., speaking on the Mental Defectives Bill, said, in reference to the increase of insanity among the natives, that the most prolific soiirce was that of diseases introdxiced by Europeans. "Another prominent cause of insanity amongst the Maoris," said the doctor, "is their occasional infliction with religious mania. Whilst I do not wish to say anything about "religion, yet it is also, I may mention, a factor that was introduced by the white man."

Thomson, of North Dunedin, when railing against the Mormons the other day, showed that religious intolerance •still abounds. * •■ * . * *

Tom Wilford is, mentioned as At-torney-General in the event of Findlay resigning that post.

Reports from Auckland state- that M. J. Savage, Socialist candidate for Auckland Central, will poll an exceedingly heavy vote. The daily reports arriving at headquarters are most encouraging.

Notice of motion has*" been" given by Sir Maurice O'Rorke: "That in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable that the Government ' should appoint two emigration officers —one for Ireland and one in Scotland —to facilitate emigration, from those countries to New Zealand, such officers to be under the control of the High Commissioner, and not to exceed in any one year the number of emigrants he might have authorised; that each emigrant of 21 years of age should receive 40 acres of freehold land in New Zealand., and half that amount of land for children over 10 years of age; that the salaries of these emigration officers should be at the rate of £500 per annum, termieiable after the first year of employment by three months' notice from the High Commissioner in London." How about attending to the wants of the people here for a start?

In reply to a question, put by F. M. B. Fisher in< the House last week, Ward said he did not know whether it was possible for those in the ranks to qualify for oonunissionis in our conscript army. There is no question but what Ward does know —that the whole scheme is a class scheme, but is afraid to say so. Mr Scott .Bedford has repeatedly raised this point and challenged contradiction, and Ward's answer bears out the allegation.