TWO POLITICAL BANQUETS. "Amen! Let Well Alone."

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 193, 12 March 1904, Page 6

TWO POLITICAL BANQUETS. "Amen! Let Well Alone."

AT the close of last week two political banquets were held at opposite ends of the colony. They were opposite in more senses than one. Down at Invercargill, in the Far South, King Dick was being banquetted by the Liberal and Labour League, "a large percentage of the festal throng being ladies,' says the obliging newsman. Up near Auckland, in the Far North, Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, was being entertained by his constituents prior to setting out on a campaigning tour through the country. The Premier painted the situation in roseate colours, and pronounced a kind of political benediction There was now a lull m politics, he said, as people were making money, and that was what he had been aiming at — "Amen' Let well alone." But, the Leader of the Opposition lowered the stage lights, rang on his weirdest music, whispered "Tammany," and winked his business eye at the alleged buoyancy of the revenue. If it was buoyant would anybody kindly tell him why the Public Works Estimates were cut down 1 * All of which, coupled with Mr. Massey's preparations for stumping the colony, go to show .^at King Dick has been a bit premature m lifting up his sonorous baritone voice in a psalm about the lull m politics and extending his hands in benediction while he uttered the blessed word, "Amen." * • * There certainly has been a lull in politics, but we don't regard that as a matter for public thanksgiving. And, while it is nice to hear that people are busy making money, there is much reason for real concern if they get so engrossed in the pursuit of the Almighty Dollar as not to care a tinker's curse how the country is being run, or what its politics are. Still, there is no need for alarm. If we were in doubt on that ecore Mr. Massey s utterances, and especially the bill of indictment with which he is going forth, would reassure us. Since Parliament closed down the Opposition have had ample time to frame a policy, and catalogue the sins and rascalities of the Government. * ♦ • And, what does it all amount to ? Only the old, old story over which Parliament has drowsed and droned through many weary sessions. The public works policy is behind the age, which probably means that not enough money is being spent Native lands is a policy of "Taihoa 1 " The Government borrowed from the State lending institutions. Ministers were wasteful and extravagant, Bills were rushed through Parliament — witness the Preferential Trade Bill And, what is the Opposition programme — the panacea for all these ills « * » ♦ It is the freehold — only that, and nothing more. Mr. Massey says "if a man is not prepared to pledge himself unreservedly in favour of the freehold, he is not fit to represent a country or any other constituency."

And, he prophesies that if Mr. Seddon only sees they ha,ve numbers behind them they will get the freehold or anything else. Well, we shall see Richard, on his part, claims he is the best friend the farmer ever had, as he got him four milions sterling at 4 per cent. It still remains to be proved that New Zealand is ready to knock the lease-m-perpetuity system on the head, and allow existing contracts to be broken at the cry of State tenants who want to convert their cheap holdings into freeholds ♦ * As for the rest, there seems to be mighty little to make a fuss about If the revenue isn't buoyant, where on earth does King Dick get his £480,000 surplus from? And, if there are too many Government steamers and special trains and too much pomp and pageantry, let members insist on a change. As for money being wasted on luxuries, if the only examples Mr. Massey can find are the purchase of scenic spots, a State coal mine, and Bank of New Zealand shares, all of which are excellent investments, there doesn't seem to be much amiss with Richard's trading operations However, it is really refreshing to* find that the Opposition have really woke up at last, and that the lull m politics won't last right up till next session