Political Prattle

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 82, 4 October 1912, Page 5

Political Prattle

L. M. Isitt complains in a letter to the "Lytteltou Times" that he is subjected to something like "a conspiracy of misrepresentation" at the hand cf the supporters of tho Government and the Government press. "For their own purpose — whaterer that) may be," writes he, "they continually disteft my utterances and represent mc a 6 unduly personal and abusive when absolutely no grounds for such representation exist."

The "Lytteltou Times," commenting editorially on the letter, remarks: "When Mr. Isitt has bm in Parliament a few yfcars loiiger la 6 will be less inclined than now to resent the criticism of the Refofai Pfesfe. He will have learnt that nothing helps a public man more at the beginning of his career than does tbo pefsi&tent abuse of his political opponents. He really ought to be grateful to the *e#spapefs that are helping him to something like eminence ift the .pafliaftenWy life of the country." Ifi politics, as ift business, "sweet are the uses of advertisement."

During his speech on the Public Ser* vice Bill, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher said when he was in the service some years ago there was a rilan employed addressing envelopes at a salary of £275 a year, and the man who did his work for him got £50 a year. Yet nothing in the world could get that man out; the power behind him wae too great. l*his is an instance of what the Americans call "graft."

A Wellington correspondent of the Balclutha "Free Prese*' says that Mr. Atmore and Mr. Isitt are easily the two

best debaters in the House. The former is a remarkably quick speaker, never confuses his issues, is crushing in repartee, and strongly magnetic. Like Mr. Isitt, he hits hard—hits often —but always hits fair. Both these men loom largely in the political atmosphere whilst Parliament is sitting.

The great and the wise have hardly ever been elevated to high political office. This is natural. Such men are too much in advance? of tb>ir contemporaries to be appreciated by the majority of them. Only posterity can do justice to tli.' truly great.—Chicago "Evening World."

Judging by the public men of the present, the public men Of the past must be grdSsly overrated. ♦ * #

The capitalist has but one political of profits.

Thus King O'Malley, Commonwealth Miuister for Home. Atfairs: "Titles are for mediocrities. Intellectual giants do not want them because there is no one big enough to bestow theas." Good for you, King! In fact, when orw monies to compare the common or garden herd of knights, X.C.M. Geese, and such excellencies with plain Misters like Gladstone, Serldon and Kingston, one is inclined to remark, like the enthusiast) of old, "0, King, live forever!"— Sydney "Worker." « * * The by-election for the Egmont seat in the Dominion House of Representatives, rendered vacant by the resignation of the Hon. Thoaiaft Mackenzie upon his appointment as High Commissioned ill London, resulted in the return of Mr. C. A. "Wilkinson, the Government candidate. The voting was as follows: C. A. Wilkinson (G.), 2705; D. LA. Astbury (0.), 2125; majority for Wilkinson, 577. A Liberal pressman, viewing the disintegration of his party, Siglls fOtf the days of yore and the leadership of a giant of old, end in a fafody Of Sir Walter Scott's "Hodden FielfL" cries: "0 fur An hour of Sedddu brave, His eye to gleAßl, his arm to wave; How wanderers would return. His words of hope our hearts would cheer, His words of wisdom banish fear, Ol\r foes live bub to fiadurn." * * "Achilles, corcft forth from your tent," wailed our contemporary last evening, says the "West Coast Times." Bui Achilles heeds not the cry. Call him louder! But still there is no reply. Why call Achilles ? There is one member who is said to possess all the Oharacteristios of an Achilles. According to our contetnporfcvy, the member for Westland reflect* the type of youthful stfengtb, beauty, valor and chivalry. That is Achilles to Iha letter. Why, then, howl and mourn for an Achilles to come forth from his teni ? Why uot demand that the mere mortal, Mr T. E. Y. Spddon, should come from behind the Reform Party's eclip&rag power, and scatter the modern oppressors? "A greater matt than, his father" has now his, opportunity. NrWt before in the history of the "Liberals" was the plight of the party so sore and the cause so discredited. And still Westland's member do*S nothing; but ask a. question occasionally, Show fight 5 No. H6 has shouldered that teak on to other shoulders, preferring to remain almost; unknown, aliiid tU# cold Shades of the Opposition. Has he lost the traits of Achilles or is he denf to our contemporary's pathetic wail?