POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 321, 10 July 1912, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

A CLEAN FIGHT. J MR. MACKENZIE EULOGISED. Spectators of the latest political drama, including iiiembers of Mr. Masscy's party, agree that the defeated Minister conducted his campaign on clean, honorable methods, without canvassing - or in any way attempting to influence votes (says the Wellington Times). The general impression is that he fought « good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith of clean, straightforward Liberalism. "As far as I know he did not canvass a single member of the House," remarked a follower of Mr. Massey to a member of the Times staff. "His methods have been irreproachable throughout. He took his defeat with dignity and grace, and upheld the 'best traditions of honorable party warfare."

Parliamentarians on both sides of the House are unanimous in praise of the speech delivered by the Hon. T. Mackenzie. They consider it was dignified in tone, lofty in sentiment, and worded in a manner that raised no suggestion of bitterness or complaint. The concluding passages showed that he faced his defeat with equanimity and philosophic resignation, at the same time that he expressed hope and.confidence in the future of Liberalism. Both leaders had a magnanimous interchange of congratulation after the division. "Mr. Mackenzie's speech was a splendid performance; we all agreed on that," remarked a member of the triumphant party.

THE FINAL ACT. * ' __ The final division bell rang just before 5 a.m. The Hon. J. A. Millar, in dressing gown covering his pyjamas as though fresh from his sick bed, entered the House and took his seat on the Opposition benches. It was a strange picture. He looked very ill. His appearance quite shocked those Parliamentarians who had known him in robust health in the olden days when lie preached Liberalism and denounced Mr. Massey. Mr. Millar on Mr. Massey's benches—the old warrior of the maritime strike of . 1890 with the Tories! Yet there he was. He slowly followed the leader of the Opposition into the lobby. Then he came over and conversed with some Liberal members. There were one or two pleasant sotto voce remarks. The tumult and the shouting dies, The captains and the kings depart. It was daylight. Let the veil be drawn—--42 votes to 34. Mr. Massey went home Prime Minister.

■ THE NEW GOVERNMENT'S TASK, j The new Government which will take office this week under Mr. Massey will be called on to live up to its professions, and we believe it will (says the Dominion). It 'has been branded as Tory and taunted as being the friend of the wealthy. It will have to show by its policy and by its actions that those who thus slandered it lied to serve their, own ends. It has been charged with the intention to repeal laws now on the 'Statute Book which benefit the poorer classes, and with a desire to prevent the 'subdivision of large estates. It must prove these allegations to be as false as ; tlife rest 9f_ these slanders, which have hefen-repeated in parrot fashion by the* opponents of the party for years past. By j more than . this, the Reform party ias now the great opportunity of proving, tjje sincerity of its claim to progres,?iyen,<js9 by bringing into practical effect , its .policy prpposals for the betterment of classes in the way of inagainst sickness and unemployment; -for -improved conditions in the Civil Service; for a live and active land . settlement policy, including close settlement and security of tenure; for the ireform of the Legislative Council, which the'"Liberal" Government has never dared to'-attempt; for a better electoral System; for the lessening of the cost oi ■■living by further tariff remissions, and iill th'e r'est'of the many progressive proposals ■'■it''%as advocated. These things ■Jrannot all 'be done at once, but Mr. Massey and his new Ministry can quickly prove t'heir 'bona fides, and no doubt will 1 dir'sb by making a beginning which will .carry ample conviction of their earnestness and-determination to stand or fall by their*policy and principles.