Political Prattle

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 71, 19 July 1912, Page 6

Political Prattle

Exit the Mackenzie Liberal Government, enter the Massey "Reform" Administration. In the "wee sma' 'oors ayont the twnl" of Saturday morning, July 6. the brief span of existence enjoyed by the Mackenzie Ministry wan 1 brought to a. final andfatal termination by M-assov's "certain amendment" be* ing carried by 41 votes to3B (excluding the pairs). Then ensued a period devoted to the. last sad rites and the mournful obsequies in connection withthe interment of the "dear- departed." and likewise with the walkings to and. fro, the comings and goings, the whispers and the wire-pulling, the button-' holing and the log-rolling, the closetconsultations and the public pronouncements, and all tho incidentals attendant upon the birth of a successor to the"late lamented," and on the Wednesday following up (or down) came "Farmer Bill" with his little lot, as hereunder set forth :— •

Hon W. F. Massey (Prime Minister), Land, Agriculture, and Labor. Hon. James Allen, Finance,. Defence, and Education. Hon. W. 11. Herries, Ttailways and Native Affairs, Hon. A. L. Herdman, Attorney-General and Justice. lion. W. Fraser, Public Works and Mines. Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, Customs and Marine. Hon. It. H. Rhodes, Postmaster-Gen-eral.

Hon. H. D. Bell, Internal Affairs. Hon. M. Pom a re, Minister representing Native Race.

The foregoing constitute a strong team, from tho point of view of their admirers, and should pull well together,while the party, as a whole, according to some of its members, is the "most loyal and solid that has ever .sat in the Parliament of Now Zealand." Nothing seems mure certain anyway than that the new Government will be'hard to separate from the sweets of office, and only an earthquake is likely to shift the Massey men from the Treasury benches dining the life of the present Parliament, so that New Zealanders not in accord with their views and policy can only hope for the best and pray that no retrograde measures will be placed upon the Statute Book during their regime.

The Auckland "Herald" is a mouthpiece of the Massey crowd, and according to it the new Cabinet will be "a Government that will ensure for the people clean and efficient administration that will encourage their industries and by inducing a steady settlement of the land and attracting a stream of suitable population, help to increase and maintain their general welfare and prosperity;" while the new Prime Minister's "only desire is to serve New Zealand as a whole and to promote as far as lies in the power of any public man the happiness and well-being of its people." That's something, at aaiy rate.

Massey has been overwhelmed by a tornado of telegrams since the victory of tho "Reform" Party. Hero arc a few sample:;; —"When the old net is full of holes it is east aside and a rew net goes a-lishing" ; "best wishes for a good innings"; "you have settled matters effectually, completely and finally this time" j "you have at last) entered into your kingdom, but whether it proves a bower of roses is problematical"; "Chicago at last"; "the Dominion will now- bo worth living in"; "may your star never wane"; "top dog at last"; "the dogged perseverance and grit you havo displayed all these years deserve this reward."

The members of the new Opposition have, not yet decided upon a leader. Half a dozen members are mentioned in <-onncc,tion with the leadership—Mr. Kussoll. Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Millar. .Mr. Laiirenson, Mr. "Wilford, and Sir dames Carroll. The last-named seems likely to be tho choice, as it is generally acknowledged that he is the only member who could hold the divergent factions-, but even he, it is .stated, "will not be able to prevent some hiving-olf from the turbulent: swarm." When the House, resumes after the adjournment we shall be wiser on the point.

It is interesting to note, that in the six years following Mr. fteddon's di-at'n New' Zealand has had four Premiers — Kir W. Hall-Jones, Sir Joseph Ward, lion. '!'. Hfnckonzie. and Hon. Wm. M.-usev. Who'll be the next?

"Lei-el us a quid till to-morrow" : and tii-morrow, "Lend us two quid. ot:e to pay back the quid I owe you and one to go on with" ; and next day.

"Lend us lour quid, t,'. o to pay you back the two I owe you and two to go on with."" and so on. tSiich. accord in;.; to the "Ci-ey River Argus." is tltc thing the Liberals call their "financial

policy." What Heaven-born financiers these fiberals are, to be sure. * * *

The member for Nelson seems woll able to take earo of himself in a duel of words. While Atmoro was speaking in the course of the no-confidence debate, Rhodes said to Buchanan: — "He's tho great I AM.!" (Hee-haws from both.) Atmoro said be bad evidently hurt Rhodes by his plain speaking. "Not at all," t-aid Rhodes, quite in a superior tone. "Then why refer to mc as the great I AM* I cannot say to him (Rhodes) that he'is ever, the 'great ho was!'" (Laughter.) Rhodes: "I was not speaking to you at all." (Ironical laughter from members.) Atmoro: "Then don't speak so loudly." (Laughter.) "Rhodes (angrily): "My remark was not addressed"'to you." Atmoro: "Don't get angry." Rhodes: "I'm not at all angry.*' Atmore: "Well, thou, don't look it!" (Loud laughter.) * * «- Why didn't the Liberal Party take the advice the- constable gives the inebriate and "go quietly:" asks an exchange. Echo answers, Why;' The short life and sudden death of the Mackenzie Ministry reminds us of the epitaph on a very young baby:— "If I was so soon to be done for, I wonder what J was begun for." * * * Three old-timers of Maoriland polities— W. J. Steward, T. Y. Duncan, and "Tommy" Parata —have just been appointed to the Upper House. Each fit them is out 70 years of age, and none of tin m saw less than 27 years go yawning prist from a scat in the House of Reps. Steward, who was then' for -it years, was celebrated as the wearer ct "the white flower of a blameless !il'<."— a reference to a perpetual pale blossom in bis buttonhole. He. will now be able to wear the white flower of an aimless life for a change. --'•Bulletin."