PATRIOTISM y. IMPERIALISM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 36

PATRIOTISM y. IMPERIALISM.

MR MASSEY'S RETORT. (From Otjh Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, September 3. The Leader of the Opposition, in an interview, has made a vigorous reply to the Hon. George Fowkls, and gives Ihe Minister some straight talking. "The vicious attack of Mr Fowlds troubled me little," said Mr Massey, " but, taking hi& position an a Minister into account, I can hardly allow his outburst to pass unnoticed, and I may say that Mr Fowlds would have heard from me before but for the fact that during the laet few days 1 have been visiting ~ some of the outdifetricts of my constituency." " First," said Mr Massey," Mr Fowlds says that I have frequently paraded my patriotism and Imperialism. Well, I don't think anyone can say that I have used either Imperialism or patriotism for my own advantage or glorification ; but let me tell Mr Fowlds that, in common with many other Imperialists, I hold the opinion that nothing has ever done the Imperial cause so much harm in this country as the closing down of Parliament at a critical time and the methods adopted by the Government in Imperial matters. However, about Mr Fowlds's Imperialism, I can remember a famous occasion when the New Zealand Parliament did honour to one of the greatest of Imperial statesmen by adopting a resolution expressing regret at his retirement. What was the attitude of Mr Fowlds on that occasion? The hon. gentleman did not see fit to stand up in the House and express his opinions in a straightforward manner, but after the resolution was agreed to he cabled to Sir H. C. Bannerman informing him that the motion was rushed through somewhat surreptitiously; that it did not represent the sentiment of Parliament ; and then went on to belittle what had been done by his fellow members. Actions speak louder than words, and since that time I have had a very poor opinion both of Mr Fowlds's political tactics and of his Imperialism. Mr Fowldfe wanted to know what my lieutenant thought of my attitude, and he has had his answer very promptly from. Mr Allen. My party voted solidly for going on with the business of the country instead of postponing the session because the Prime Minister could not trust his colleagues in his absence. We can trust each other, and that is a great deal more than either the members of the Ministry or their supporters can say. Mr Fowlds," continued Mr Massey. " says I deplored the folly of New Zealand in not joining the Australian Federation. I deny the correctness of this statement, and ask him to give his authority, or admit his error and apologise. I take back nothing that I said about working with Australia in naval defence, though, unfortunately, on this point I was not fully reported on the first occasion. I don't think there are many people who will agree with the proposal that we should sever our connection with the Australian squadron and that New Zealand should be placed in charge of the Admiral in charge of the China squadron, but that seems to be what is intended. I want to see a strong and progressive defence policy for each of the self-governing colonies, by which they will be able to stand together and assist the Empire as a whole, and 1 regret that, so far as New Zealand is concerned, more progress has not been made in this respect."

— English professional cricketers receive £20 for playing in test mat<ibaak