Political Prattle

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 57, 12 April 1912, Page 6

Political Prattle

The political arena is, for the time being at least, extremely quiet.. 'J 'ho bunch cf recently formed "lions./ , taking themselves very seriously indeed, arc settling themselves down to what in all probability will be a. wry brief term of oflke. * -x * The Fustmr.sU-r-Genernlsiiip has been transferred from t'olviu to Ell. Judging from a .recently reported statement of Ell, ho thinks himself no small potato. Said ho: "Sirjoo was i he ablest Postmaster-General in Australasia. 1 shall inaugurate a progressive policy," or words to that effect. "On Hell" or Hon. Ell modestly assures us that he will improve upon tho work of Australasia's first Postmaster-General. Query: "What is Ell? ♦> • * J. A. Millar, whose aspirations for tho Premiership were so ruthlessly crushed, is said to con template transferring his residence, from Duuedin to Auckland. "J. A." has been taught a lesson ith&l all false friends of Labor arts taught sooner or later. * # * "For patriotic reasons," says Mr. Massey, "tho present Cabinet does not suit mc at all." Exactly so. But then Massey's patriotism is of such a peculiar character that anything done by those, who were not hobbled by the time-worn ideas of Conservatism would jar upon it. Willies patriotism is a fearful and wonderful thing. * # * Mr. Payne, of Grey Lynn, is reported to have said that ho intended to vote for Mr. Massoy, to give the latter "a show." It is difficult to believe all one reads in tho press regarding the utterances of any members of the "Labor four."/ Some may imagine that either tho report is incorrect or else Payne lias been pulling someone's leg. It is certain that one of the first measures to be introduced when Parliament assembles is an Electoral Bill. Tho Liberal press of tho country is clamoring for proportional representation, and proportional representation we will have because none or very few will be found, game enough to oppose it. * * * A correspondent forwards the writer some opinions upon tho political situation. He ends by stating: "There is no dog so bad but that he will wag his ku'l." Very inie. j?ut where in the parallel!'' * * « Robertson, M.P., considers the present Ministry the most Radical ever formed in New Zealand. He is also reported to have stated that the farmers' interests would bo promoted and tho masses had good reason to believe that problems such as the cost of living and the improvement of machinery for the settlement of industrial disputes would be tackled with earnestness. A big problem,, Robbie, and one that the present team or party will never settle, as you doubtless are well a ware. a * * "Kerci," in a letter to the "Lyttelton Times," says: Any Labor M.P. that would blindly follow tho Hon. T. Mackenzie would be guilty of political hydrophobia. The new Premier is saturated with commercialism. He is a Tory at heart and a foe- to closer settlement by leasehold tenure, one who would encourage sweated labor so that tho revenue returns might rise by leaps and bounds and tho few prosper at the expense uf the many. * * William Licbknecht, whose opinion should count for something with all those who are interested in the work-ing-class movement, speaking of political action without industrial organisation, said: —But let us suppose that the Government, either out of conscious strength or calculation, make no use of its powers, and that, agreeable to tho day-dream of .some Socialist fantastic politicians, the effort to elect a Social Democratic majority in the Reichstag were successful—what is that majority to do? "Hie Rliochis hie salta." The moment has arrived to remodel society and tin , state. _ Tho majority adopts a world-historic resolution ; tho New Era is born —not at all 1 A company of soldiers chases the Social Democratic, majority out of the Temple; and, should the gentlemen fail to submit quietly, then, a couple of policomen will conduct them to the lockup, where they will have leisure to meditate upon their Don Quixotiuisin.