The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1904. A POLITICAL RIPPLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 56, 10 March 1904, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1904. A POLITICAL RIPPLE.

The Leader of the Opposition. Mr W. P. Massey, was entertained at a Imifquet at Pukekohe last week, and of course took advantage of tin* opportunity to deliver n political address. To our way of thinking, his remarks must have been a heavy disappointment to his admirers. .As the head of an organisation thut aspires to oust the Government and reign in its stead one might well have expected something original, something practical from Mr Massey, hut there Vas nothing of the sort. There was the same old tirade against ihe political delinquencies of the Government and the recklessness of their finance. Mr Massey also considers that the public works policy is behind the age. that the Government have boon going on the principle of spoils to the victors, "and ihe question was how long the country would stand this system of 'Tammany.' " Well, the country has been standing it for the past ten years or so. and Mr Massey cannot deny that it has prospered well during the time. We do not observe any signs oi "that tired feeling" about it at Dresent. Mr Masßey complains that "while it was impossible to hnd the money for such works os the Tuakau bridge and the road to the Orakei cattlo landing, money was found in plenty for the purchase of scenic spots, for a State coal mine, for th« purchase of shares in the Bank of all oi which were luxuries as compared with public works in the country districts." Probably the road and the bridge referred to by Mr Massey are required, bui so are scores of other roads and bridges throughout the colony, and he must know that it would be an impossibility for all the requirements oftiat sort to be satisfied off hand and at once. That is no reason, ho.vver, why the beauty spots existing in the colony should not be saved from destruction, nor that the State should neglect to use its mineral resources, and assist the llank, too, when it was fotsnd necessary. Parliament said that these things should be done, and now the Government is blamed for doing them. Of course, if they did nothing., they would be blamed just the same. Mr Massey says lie has no faith in the Governmcnt, but lie lias not lost faith in the country, for which, no doubt, the country is profoundly grateful. Probably still greater gratitude vould Le ; manifested if the Leader of the Opj position would leave off abusiig the |inen who are doing their best iu the ; interests of the community, and ia:j der whose guidance the colony j.as advanced by leaps and bounds. As Mr Massey says, the foundation of the colony was hud by men of honesty, energy and ability, and it was for the legislators *>f the ) res-'iit day to follow their example in raising a structure that will leave no cause for complaint. This is a good sentiment, and to give elfect to it the Leader of" the Opposition will have to adopt fresh tactics altogether. Mere disparagement of the Government will never put Mr Massoy whore he wants to be.