The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1913. PLATFORM POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 38, 20 June 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1913. PLATFORM POLITICS.

Politics in a general sense are not very seriously taken by the majority of people in what may bo called the “oil season,” between sessions of Parliament, unless there is something unusual in the political air. At the present time there is indeed, but little to excite strong discussion, and under such circumstances it requires courage to attempt to address a meeting on matters political, and considerable optimism to hope to arouse public interest in flat and unprofitable things. -Hi' .1. B. Hine, M.P., since his election to Parliament has consistently held it to be his duty to deliver a prc-sessinnal address, and we believe that this act of courtesy is appreciated by his constituents. On Wednesday evening the Member for Stratford spoke in the Town Hall, and may fairly bo complimented on having delivered one of the best speeches ho has yet given in Stratford. The art of public oratory is uot given to all public men in like measure and wo are rather apt to deplore the dearth of brilliant public speakers in this Dominion. Nevertheless, practice and experience make platform effort more ready, and when, as is emphatically the case with Mr Hine, earnestness and honesty of purpose are combined with such experience, Hie speaker’s words compel attention. Mr Hine reviewed the work of the past session and held that the present Government had done as well ns could be expected of It, and under the difficult circumstances in which it took

office, wo are inclined to agree. After] all, so far as most people can see, the difference between the actual policy as set forth by the now altogether dismembered Party the present Government succeeded, and the policy this latter is pursuing, is not so very marked: it is, as the new Government claims, rather a question of administration. Naturally finance occupied a good portion of the Member for Stratford’s address, and he "'as subjected to a raking fire from some of his audience who had. in the past. | )o en more or less ardent supported of the Party led by Mr Seddon, Sir Joseph Ward, and lastly by Mi T. Mackenzie. This part of the pro gramme certainly livened up the meet ing, and the honors in repartee at tin dose lay probably with the Membei for Stratford. His rebuke to those who would now throw discredit on one on whom they not so long ago fawned upon, and flattered, was timely and in place. Dealing with the coming session, Mr Hine spoke hopefully of the outlook, and said the Govern ment proposed to pass the remaindei of its land legislation. This is ai it should be, for it was largely 01 the promises of such legislation tha the Reform Party was returned tr power, and the people who gave fjup port in return for such promises desire to see them fulfilled. On the whole, Mr Hine is to he much congratulated on his speech: it indicated that ho is consistently supporting what ho believes to be for the country’s real welfare, and that he will, if necessary, place that aim in front of the mere claims of Party.