Political Prattle

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 60, 3 May 1912, Page 6

Political Prattle

I Mr. Speaker in his wig and gown is an imposing liguic to those wdio can bo imposed upon. Oan New- Zealand Cabinet Ministers be claused us "great moiii" * » • The McKenzie whiskers have given way to the Colvin ditto. „ * # Ninety persons in New Zealand own or occupy over b,(XX),O(JO acres. « » » Mao Donald, Minister of Public AVorks and Native Affairs, states that he used to bo known as "Hill, tho Buckjump Rider." There is ample scopo for his tenacity in the position ho at present occupies. * # # Labor member Veitch is said to have second a promise from the Premier that he will investigate the possibilities of nationalising the ferry service on the Wanganui river. * • AVhether Wilford will be a member of Mackenzie's team is said to depend upon tlie state of his health when he arrives in New Zealand, it is generally conceded he is being longed for by "Tain." A sign of departed authority.—Sir joe concluded a speech at Balclutha quite recently (says the "Free Press") by saying that the railway people wore beginning to move, and if ho wero to delay a train now it would be a dreadful thing.—(Laughter.) » » » ''The feeling in the country is distinctly good," remarked Tarn Mackenzie to a "New Zealand Times" representative, when asked his impressions of his Taranaki trip. "1 could gather from what was said by people of all shades of political opinion that they considered that my work would make for steady progress on safe lines; that the country desired practical work now, and less theorising; and they were propared to give the party that would adopt these methods a chance to carry them out. The country is tired of tiroworks, self-laudations, bitter political expressions, and desires performances, in preference to word*. In a word, what is required now is constructive work." ''SalV lines. Exactly so. Thus the "Bulletin" on the N.Z. Cabinet: "Tbe new Maoriland Ministry looks like a compromise between hope and the devil. It contains several men who might, if circumstances were not too strong for them, lead the. quivering mass of insular political absurdity out into a much larger pk-tee. Jf the progressive element in the Cabinet had its way, Cohen and nil his works would soon be bitter memories of the past, but the friends of the Israelitisli darkness will probably take up the vessels of the old drunk, and run once more to the fountains whence 1 0 l"s are drawn. Weakness must buy its way with loan money, lint if one man should now arise with a gospel of straight and honest finance, Maorilr.nd would in years to come be filled from <"ape Maria Van Diemen to the Bluff with statues of her saviour. Thero is a big show for someone who has the. courage to lift a vast yell of utter conviction." These are the arguments that kings havo mado for enslaving the people in all ages of the world. They always bestrode tho necks of the people, not because they wanted io ; hut Ins ..use the people were better off for h ing ridden. That is their urguno ml ; .;nd this argument is Lire same old serpent which says: "Yon work, and I eat; you toil, and I will enjoy Ihe fruits of it."—Abraham Lincoln in IBOS. r X -> Eugene Debs says Unit if the American plutocracy wero in the celestial city they would wreck every avenue leading to the throne of the. Infinite by stealing tho gold with which they arc paved, and then debauching heaven's supreme court to obtain a decision that the command "Thou shalt not steal" is unconstitutional. Tho ethics lof capital and liberalism arc pretty I much the same al) over tbe world. I That painfully improper paper, tbe j "Triad," has indulged in a genteel ■ criticism of Bill Massey. "Teiins eon- | tailored offensive by Mr. Massey," says ' the, "Triad," "3.1-0 held in honor by j Mr. Balfour and other unimportant per- ' soiis.'' It goes on unkindly to say that I one- of tho greatest, handicaps to the j Conservatives in New Zealand is Mr. ■■ Massey himself. "Ho has neither tcei: 'in debate, nor delicacy in initiative." j ihe Prime aniiisler told a deputation iof land agents last week who urged j upon fiiui the necessity of legislating for I the registration of land Dgents that ! the. Government could not promise to I put anything on tho .statute book ibis 'year. As n plain statement of l/ct, thi*. remark was bevoud criticism. ! * 'it- ;:- ---i Socialism is a political question, not 'a. religions. When will some of our op- : peiiei::s become alive, to thai j'.ict ': it- * « I AVhi'ii we hear the average politician ■ publicly declare himself in favor of 'abolishing wage-slavery no will have io ! realm-• that the cm! oi' <-;'i.'ita)i*m is at ihaml. i The- parliament a : ian who looks wise : am! says very lit Ho is goueial!;, popular. ift is the man who lots Ihe courage to ': give i-'qiression to his thought*, who is ; a failure politically. j Although we may feci inclined at j times to become disgusted with the I foolish talk of public men, it would be ! well to remember that the speakers jhavo .locuratclv gaug-ed public opinion.