FREEZING SPACE DIFFICULTY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 180, 6 April 1915, Page 4

FREEZING SPACE DIFFICULTY.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ln a recent issue ol ! your paper I note Hie ineptitude of Mr. Massey resulted in the expensive necessity of calling together representatives of shipping and freezing companies, also his pet Agricultural Board, constituted by himself to administer # department of which lie rightly felt himself incapof; the first time I can recall to mind Mr. Massey doing what he so often himself terms “the right thing. ” At the outset allow me to explain that in the matter of space shortage I make every allowance for difficulties, and unforseen circumstances of special kinds which have arisen. At the same time ,1 cannot altogether acquit those in authority from condemnation. The boasting attitude assumed by Mr. Massey is to me extremely amusing. Months ago, by Sir Joseph Ward, T>y experts, and capable business men, Mr. Massey was warned that a crisis would arise about the present time He was urged to use at least a little forc..E;h. and for once look far ahead. Hk v.

bombast and boasting was his reply. With all his force, all his fire, and impulsive power, the late Mr, T. E. Taylor hurled across the floor of the House at Mr. Massey: “Oh, you*vain boaster! ’’ Allow me to prove how true were the words of that brilliant champion (who was on the side of truth and righteousness) as applied to Mr. Massey in the matter of the present space difficulty. Months ago, replying to sound, solid advice, Mr Massey is reported to have expressed himself thus: “I am a business man. I have been watching all this space -difficulty very closely. I think sufficient bottoms available. I am prepared to take strong action. lam prepared to stop shipments to Now York in order that ships may take our produce to England.” Please note; “I will do so as soon as I think it necessary. I am not going to allow producers of this country to go short of ships to carry their produce to the Old Country at the proper time. ’ ’

What of all these personal pronouns. 11 this bat ant captrap, usual bungles siul blunders to which wo are becoming daily accustomed. To rectify his blunders, Mr. Massey offers a certain shipping company £SOOO on behalf of the r.xpaysrs of New Zealand. Quite naturally, business men smile, and freezing companies hold him up to ridicule His lack of foresight, and refusal to accept advice, has resulted, in the closing of nearly all the freezing works; hundreds of men are idle; sheep which should be on the way to London are eating up what we hoped, to have foi those remaining. Had boasting given

way to sound advice. matters would have been very different. To my mind, Mr. Editor, business men must recognise the utter incapacity of Mr. Massey to grasp and grapple successfully with the difficult and complex problems which from time to time arise, Vgain, to my mind, Mr. Massey lacks initiative and constructive ability. He gets hold of ideas and opinions expressed by others, hugs them to his breast, and parades them for all he is worth as his own. "Put us iu power and you will have clean, honest government!’-' "Put us in power and you will sad :■ :.- r ?•;•:«! ” Dear, ■ a den r---V hat si lag. what bombastic- rubbish. When i read of the rod?less expend!hi;e, wasteful extravagance, excessive ’ai:*! owing, enormous increase in admin- ■ hailve expenditure, im-miseil and crushing burdens daily heaped r.peithe people: I tremble for the future and become a " Dismal Jimmy. ’’ Pro!ia.bly 1> oca use I disbelieve in bombast and political deception. Because! have the audacity to disagree and differ widely from Mr. Massey in politics and administration, I shall be designated a bed Fed. Let it bo so; I care not. However, I have this consolation: During forty years’ active political warfare I have never wired my friends to vote Red Fed. and afterwards hurled political curses at those I sought to •lent. That would not be "clean and honest.” Neither would it be a square deal.” I hope, Mr. Editor, the time is not far distant when the destinies of this fair and bright Dominion shall again be guided by wise legislators and prudent administrators. —I am, etc., F. OVERTON, Taoroa.