The Daily News FRIDAY, MAY 3. MR. MALONE'S CANDIDATURE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 3 May 1907, Page 2

The Daily News FRIDAY, MAY 3. MR. MALONE'S CANDIDATURE.

It was a compliment to the speaker, no less than visual evidence of ilie genuine interest being taken in the coming election, that Mr. Malone was greeted by so large and intelligent an audience at the 'J heat ro Koyai oil Weduenda* evening, when ho delivered himself of maiden political ell'ort. Kor a beginner, |it is only fair to say that -Mr. Maloue ;u't|uitted himself creditably, am!, if we mistake not, proved himself possessed of qualifications that, with experience, will yet win lor liim a place as a convincing jm'olic speaker, lie is a haul-worker, fearless, nnspokenly honest and sincere in hi* convictions, cautious (perhaps over so), and above all in a public man. conlidenl in himself and his ability to discharge the duties or the high and honorable ollice to which he aspires. With his polities almost everyone, we believe, is in the broad sense agreed. The game of politics, however, is unfortunately not played according to Ihe highest and loftiest ideals, but- .Mr. Malone is none the less entitled to credit for the excellent resolves he has made, and which, we doubt not, he, would honestly strive to adhere to. In a general way we subscribe to lib reading of the political situation—that the Land Bill is not the truly disturbing policy measure, so far as the Democratic party is concerned, that some would have us believe, and that, therefore, it is not a matter oil which to divide for or against the Government on the present occasion. The Laud Bill is simply the product of the brtuns of a new .Minister of the Crown, inspired undoubtedly with the loftiest ideals for the betterment of the future of New Zealand, but to aver that the Land Bill is the principal plank in the policy of the Liberal party and 1 lie Liberal Government is opposed to fact. The Land Bill was not the product of a. caucus of the Liberal members in the House, and does not have their support. If it had, it would have been on the Statute Book ere now. The Bill, in its present form, received what was its temporary, but assuredly also its final, quietus, at the hands not only of the Opposition party, but of the followers of the Government, who would have none of it. We do not believe for one moment that the country need fear the passing, or even Ministerial pressure, to pass the Land Bill. Reasonable endowment proposals, may, and'we believe, should be, made ami passed into law, but it is absurd to believe that the supporters of any democratic policy would for a moment seriously consider the general unsettling proposals of the measure. JCvery Tarahaki M.H.R., and each supports the Government, is an optional tenure advocate. The question at issu;* before th? elctors on this occasion is, however, more one of politic* and parly than Mr. Maluno contends. So long as thn party system obtains Tn Xew Zealand, so long ffmst the party eleuieiil enW largely into the decision of elections. Mr. Mahme's claims to the scat on personal grounds are undoubtedly excellent on-'S, but we do not see that Ihe claims of the other candidates lose much by

comparison. All are good and upriglil citizens. Mr. Malone siyles himself an Independent Liberal—"the t'hampion of Taranaki.'' We are admirers of independence, but do not allow our admiration to carry us far enough to believe in the Independent Liberal; that is, at least, so long us party (Government obtains. There is nothing to prevent a follower of the Government being independent, in the sense of supporting or otherwise that which he conscientiously believes to be or not be opposed to the well-being of his constituents or the colony. We need but cite the cases of Ihe representatives of the two electorates nearest to Taranaki, Messrs. Jennings and Svmes, M.'sII.R. It cannot be denied that they have been frank, outspoken and independent in matters upon which they could not see eye to eye wiih the Covernmeut. They were independent, but not Independents. The day of the Independent is gone: in Parliament lie is the representative of himself, not the mouthpiece of his constituents, fur ho is re-

turned pledged to no policy, hov.ever much he may be pledged l:» jnn litulnr items of a policy. The most objectionable feature of the .Independent, however, is that his weight and inllueme in t lie J foil so counts for nought, lie owes allegiance to 110 parly, party owes none to him, and lie is left to paddle his own canoe, usually an uneventful voyaue. We consider that Mr. Malone lias been unfortunately advised, self-advised probably. in assuming - the role of an Independent Liberal, erpialfy as we should be sorry to think that the Liberal candidate. Mr. Doekrill, would sacrifice his independence, were he returned, should he be called upon to express an opinion or cast his vole on any matter that he believed was opposed to the best interests of his constituents and the colony, and the same with .Mr. Okey. We appreciate, however. Mr. Malone's desire to enter politics, and while perhaps his opportunity may not yet have presented itself, we believe he lias the grit and determination that will eventually win for him tile confidence of the electors, lie is n comparatively young man, with the best years of his life before him. and the experience of his pruliiiunary canter in this bye-election will tftand him in good stead.