The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1914. A BOGEY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 153, 4 December 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1914. A BOGEY.

Thero ia a good deal of humbug about party politics. This was very evident at last election. The Liberal Party had to be shifted, and the means employed by their opponents were not always very scrupulous. There was the Baronetcy "gag." That was worked for all it was worth, especially among the labouring classes, in whoso welfare the Reform Party at that time evidenced considerable interest. Then there was the "Dreadnought" gag. That, too, was very effective —among the unthinking. Sir Joseph Ward was maligned throughout the country for making tho gift. There is no talk to-day of selling the Dreadnought, such as was made to some of the Taranaki backblocks settlers, and metalling the roads \vith the proceeds. Would any farmer with an atom of love for his country or regard for his own interests- agree, now that Sir Joseph Ward made a mistake? No. They realise more than ever that the Liberal leader allowed a discernment of the future needs of the Empire that was as singular as it was epoch-marking. But the "gag" served its purpose. So did the Mokau land scandal. Surprising that nothing is heard of that land deal now. Events hare shown that the Government of tlie day was well advised to leave that block severely alone ana facilitate private enterprise acquiring and settling it. But the scandal helped in the downfall of the Liberal Party. Then there was the "pigeon holes," an examination of which was to prove the ■ corruption and dishonesty of the wretched Liberals; in fact, in the classic words of Stratford's I member, "the revelations were to stag- j ger the country," a charge which, by the ! way, lie in characteristic fashion now I denies ever having made. But the Reformers have had an insight into the pigeon-hoies for a long time now, and the promised revelations have still to be pub- • lished. Tim choice piece of political scandal wa3 in line with the innuendo that jvas given wide circulation, that Sir Joseph was enjoying a fat secret commission out of the loans he raised. But at the first opportunity Mr Allen, who has charge of the Treasury, confessed that tlie fees in connection with his loan raising were just the same as those paid by his predecessor. There were other canards, all designed for the purpose of damaging the Liberal Party «nd its leader. Time has proved that, there was absolutely no ground for any of these malign 'accusations. The public should, in the light of past experience, have grown wise by this time, viewing with suspicion any further charge brought against tho integrity of the Opposition. The Government candidates have, however, broken out in a fresh place. Previous "gags" being ineflective, they are now holding up their hands in horror at tho labour Party associating with Liberals, and accusing tho latter of being dominated by the "Bed i'eds." The latter are numerically an insignificant party, and their opposition to the Liberals is only exceeded by their opposition to the Government. In point of fact, they are contesting several seats against Liberal candidates, and probably splitting the votes in favour of the. Government candidates. But who angled and secured the "Red Fed." voicat l&3t election? Did not Mr Massey himself telegraph to "Re I Fed" candidates asking for their support for his party, and offering them his support in return? Did he not boast that it was through his exertions that the Liberal candidates were beaten <p tho second ballot at Wangiumi, tOaki, and Grey Lynn? These "Red Fed." candidates in those

day 3 were paragons; now, according to the Prima Minister, they should be avoided by all decent citizens as if they were the plague. Mr Massey is displaying an unfortunate tendency io set one class against another, one of the greatest mistakes any person in power could be capable of. The statesman's aim is to bring the classes together, remove misunderstanding and inequalities, and show them the duty and necessity of pulling amicably together if tho country is to make the best of its great opportunities, exploit its wonderful resources, and realise its destiny. He it is that applies oil to the bearings of tlib country's complex industrial and agricultural producing machine. He would never dream of applying emery powder. It is all a great and almost unpardonable mistake to set, for instance, the labouring class against the farmers. Their, interests are identical, and they should be good friends, not enemies, Tlie greatest labourer, in Taranaki'al any rate, is the small farmer. He has no eight hours a day with certain pay and holidays. He has to work hard all the time. There are at least twentylive of this sort of working farmer standing in the Liberal interests throughout the country at the present election. Are they likely, if they are returned, to be tied to the coat-tails of any extreme section, "Red Feds." or u/ow else? Nor will Sir Joseph Ward. This is what he says:—

The position of the Liberal Party is clear. We stand as the old Liberal Party, the party that held office in this country for twenty years. We make our appeal to the electors as Liberals. We are not bound to any other party, and we are not going to be influenced by any other party, in tho direction either of reaction or revolution. We will govern this country constitutionally, as it was governed by Liberal Ministers in the We will not -baud our responsibilities over to commissions or committees. Wo will take the responsibility for the government of the country without fear or favour in the way that it should bo governed. We point out to the electors now that the people who are trying to use the Tied Feds.' against us, are the people who had an alliance with the T?ed Feds.' three years ago, when it suited them to appeal for the Bupport of the Labour vote.

It is clear, therefore, that in decrying the association of the Liberals with tho "Red Feds." tho "Reformers" are seeking to impose further on tho credulity of the public.