The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUG. 3, 1905. DEGRADING POLITICAL TACTIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7889, 3 August 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUG. 3, 1905. DEGRADING POLITICAL TACTIC.

Wlicn the members ot the Young Ncv Zealand Patty placed in the [orefront of tlK'ir platform the purifying of the Administration of this country, they had evidently been studying the Kaiser to some purpose, and contemplated scourging the Government, if not with whips, then .it!! scorpions. To convey to the public how much they were in deadly earnest in this self-imposed mission ior the chastisement of evil Ministers, these apostles ot purity resurrected the language and manners of the professors of noble art of selt-det'Mice and, secure in the confidence of their own immutable goodness, they, feared trot corruption from the tainted area of the prize ring. If any of their number doubted whether defilement might not ensue, comfort could be taken from the assurance that to the pure all things arc pure. With this as a talisman they would be immaculate, and though they might hit below the belt, 4»d with the gloves off, yet, as their mission was to purify, the end would surely justify the means, at least in their own eyes. They certainly entered on their campaign with great vigour, but with a recklessness which boiled ill for the success of their cause. The majority ot the British race have a profound regard [or fair play and truth ; moreover, if any fighting is to be done, verbal or otherwise, they are quite ready to face the music, but they I have a deeply rooted hatred of the assassin who strikes in the dark. It is all very well to put 011 the cloak ot purity when masquerading as political assassins, but it will not serve to hide the vindictive motives it covers. ]n amplifying their policy these 'apostles of purity have laid bare the hideous putrifaction of their 11101at natures. Not content with ajbuse aiwd .vilification, they have not scruple*! to level base and groundless chaiges against the Premier's son. The one soft spot in Mr Seddjn's political armour is that which coveis the sanctity ni iiis family life, ami only »4astaiiliy villains would seek In wound him in such a spot, even although Captain Seddon is a public servant. Hut it ever was that "fools rush in w.'iere angels fear to tread, ' and in making strenuous efforts to qualify for inclusion into Hie tanks of the crimiiially toolish, the young japostles of purity have established an unrivalled record. Mr Fisher's I chapter and verse, have been completely refuted tby (he documents laid on the table of the House 011 Tuesday, and when that member returns to his Parliamentary duties it will be interesting to see how lie meets tire matter. The worst feature of the disgraceful attacks made on the Government on Friday last was llto revelation that the purists had devoted their attention to scavenging

in order to besmirch Hie Ministry. Nothing is more degrading than having ri course to such despicable means o; iolitical warfare, and Mr Bedford ~ iwill l.ave some difficulty i« shielding 'himself from the consequences of un- j j ear ii.ing an alleged telegram sent as a "memo," and refusing to disclose the source from which his inform*- ■ lion was derived. It would be waste 1 of i-:nc to comment oa Mr Taylor's I iti- . -ks, which #re couched in that | u-iu 'if abuse and vituperation which j ha> how become pari of his nature, emphasised on I his occasion by his adding : "I am very sorry to make any remark that borders on the per* Isoiu'.l." There is just one more point thai deserves prominence in connection with these champions of purity wiio abhor ''criminal dishonesty" ami "petty peculations." They arc receiving a certain sum Irom tbe country for their services In at lending Parliament and assisting lo conduct ih« ailairs of the nation. Tliev are for this purpose also supplied with railway passes, yet at a meeting o> the party a day or iwo ago it was riteided to at once commence an active campaign in :doth islands during the sitting of Parliament. Can this he reconciled with the pimciples-. of purity and rectitude which arc llaunt- . d by the party with such pompous ostentation. It is in matters of this Kind that the true political character of the Young New Zealand Party arc indicated. Looked at either . in the light of their spiteful utterance, or of their action in any and every oilier way, they present a most deplorable spectacle, and, though like all ill birds they may be capable of'causing a certain amount of harm, tln-y serve the purpose of inCTeasing I lie confidence of the public in the , Government of the day.