Political Prattle

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 50, 23 February 1912, Page 7

Political Prattle

The question is: Will all the plums 80 temptingly offered by Ward and Co. be sufficient to entice the shy "independents" into the Liberal campr 1

The oft-ropeatcd assertion of the Socialist that, the old-time parties were prepared to hand out reforms in order to hang on to the reins of office is amply borne out by the "Governor's Speech." Palliation will be pushed to tho very limit, but wage-slavery will still be" here, and with it hard times fcr tho masses.

Freo medical assistance, a legal bureau where the poor can obtain advice and legal assistance free of charge. freo university education, freo tobacco—at least freed from an excessive duty; free rides on railways for children, are some of the palliatives dangled before the eyes of the people of New Zealand by tho Liberal Government. * # *

Tbo frank admission that the arbitration system had failed is contained in the Government's policy. A judge or lawyer is unnecessary wo are told—just ft layman with a knowledge of industrial conditions. The idea is to establish a system of arbitration based upon the Canadian plan. * # * * Guinness: of Grey has been elected Speaker. » « • Bell, of Wellington Suburbs, and Seddon, of Westland, are the "babies" of tho House. • » • Tlie first English Parliament met on January 19, 1205. » * * McGewan, ex-Minister of Mines, Will "lead" the Legislative Council for ft brief—perhaps a very brief—period. Tho Reform Party knew what they were about when thoy refrained from opposing Grey Guinness for the Speakership. - ■ • The manner in which both parties of Fab outshone each other in their fawning upon the Labor group just prim- to Parliament opening was a feature of the political doings of last week. Every citizen should be able to sit tinder his own vino and lig-trco, says Bill Massey. Quite true, but Masscyism cannot accomplish this desideratum. Socialism can. * * * Tldo Reform Party's "rally" at Fcilding gavo tho peoplo another opJortunity of detecting the absolute rivel talked by squatterocracy. The tale about equal opportunity for all under a Massey regime is, to say the least of it, extremely funny. * * *

Dr. Poinare's testimony in favor of tho party of land-grabbers has been hailed with delight by land monopolists generally. It is pretty certain that Poinaro is going to bo a consenting party to the chopping up of native fands. It is also certain that this will bo a bad day for the Maori.

*'Speeches from tho Throne-" fire fearful arrangements. The speechmaker must feel what a useless ornament ho is in tho country whoa he reals the lesson written for him. How long tho colonials are prepared to suffer the presence of these parasitical mobs from tho Cold (Jountry, who endeavor to foist tho glare and glitter of a decadent royalty upon us, is rather interesting. This playing at Monarchy .by governors and their hangers-on has lost its charm, and tho average colonial treats the whole business with amused indifference. When the people recognise that this foisting of some

diplomatic failure or other upon them is mi insult to their manhood and statehood they will rebel good and hard.

"The Snag" writes: It is extremely questionable whether the group of Labor men, by turning out tho prosent Government to put in Massey, will better the position from a workor's point of view. The correct attitude for tho workers' representatives to take up would bo to support that party on a. veto of no-conlidenco which is preparer! to grant the most concessions to Labor. Tho attitude to every party should be that of complete independence. Those who allow themselves to bo hobbled by pledges to turn anybody out or in without respect of couserptonoes or what the tarty is prepared

to concede, are somewhat shott-sight-ed.

Hero is the "enthusiastic suppoiter's" psalm: it will be ro-cchocd by many a reader who whoops for Mr. This or Mr. That at election time: — He leadoth mc into the pub. for my vtitc's sake. Ho filloth my pockets with good cigars, my cup of beer runneth over. Ho inquireth concerning my family even unto tho fourth genertion. Yea, though I walk through tlie mud and rain to vote for him, and shout myself hoarse when ho is elected, straightway ho forgcttoth mc. Although I meet him in his own houso he knoweth mo not. Yea, verily, the wool has been pulled over mine eyes, all tho days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of a chump forever.