OCCASIONAL JOTTINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1918, Page 5

OCCASIONAL JOTTINGS.

I (By "The Snark."); "PLATFORMS"—WK PLANES. If it were possible that an individual, without divulging to the public a single plank in his political (?) platform, could adequately represent a. constituency, then Taranaki is, happily or unhappily, in the position to-day of having two candidates out for the honor of keeping one of the Parliamentary benches warm. Neither candidate has come forward from any purpose of self or personal aggrandisement—at least, that is the idea I might form after reading the report of Mr. S. G. Smith's meeting and the few words Mr. J. S. Connett uttered at his "requisition" assembly at the Soldiers' Club a week or two ago. Either candidate, in a way, is willing to become the medium whereby the electors of Taranaki seat may place their political requirements before the "dispensing tribunal," but neither candidate has demonstrated to the public that the has any definite grasp of political matters, let alone the evolution of anything bearing the hall mark of originality or progress. Both are young in the political atmosphere, notwithstanding the schooling the progenitors of the candididates.were quite capable of handing I down to their hopefuls. # • * *

Mr. Connett'a committee has issued a manifesto which, in substance, contains nothing. It's trumpet call is: "Win the war first!" Now, that is the declared object of every man, woman, schoolboy, and infant who owns up to being loyal to the flag of Old England; but is it necessary that the Empire should send men to Parliament to win the war? If the National Government was formed for the.purposes of unity and the knot had been tied so tightly that no earthly power could untie that knot until "the soldiers had fought and won our battles," why should it be at all necessary to fill a vacancy meantime if nothing is required of a representative? How can a man represent the people if he goes to the House against his inclinations, without any enthusiasm and without a policy? I am not presuming fov a moment that Mr. Connett is not a fit and proper person to hold the confidence of this constituency—that is the business of the people—but what makes me curious is: Why does Mr. Connett seek the suffrages of the Taxanaki seat if it goes against his wish to aisist in carrying the alleged Parliamentary burdens of this country and, moreover, he has never sought a political mantle? It is a shame to impose such a burden upon any quiet-living and unambitious member of a community, who, though in his unofficial sphere showing remarkable capacity and ableness in local matters and physically displaying enormous etrength, as a member of Parliament might seldom be seen, let alone heardf; and, even if heard, the sound of hisV: voice might not make anything squirm.' Mr. Connett may make an admirable M.P., but if lie does not wish to becoms politically famous—well, it is quite "an easy matter for any man to sink into the oblivion from whence he sprung- * « » •

• There -were points in Mr. Smith's ad? dress at th,e Empire Theatre the other evening which called for .more than passing' (thought, but I was surprised that, fot a man like Mr. Smith, who has had exceptional opportunities of becoming versed in political shortcomings, should have failed to truly place his foundation-stone- It is a mistake for a young aspirant to take on too bjg a programme. I practically told Mr. (Smith this in my note last week; and I do not want him to run away with the idea that lam an adversary. It is a greater mistake to judiciously cut out or hang up a great issue- &. candidate should declare his attitude towards any great public question. Tie should always remember that (if elected) his voice in Parliament represent the voice of the venule who sent, him there. He may hold opinions which mn\- or may not -I-''-.:;-Id.-> w.ith, f'osc to whorV'ho is in-

- ■ i»,\ for n'ai-Si" M"i in rnUwitv. but if his platform—and neither candidate,

in thin instance, to my mind, has made his politics clear—is not acceptable to Us masters, short thrift meets Us efforts, and lie thereby learns that the public will not always swallow the home-made "pie." * * • », .

Finally, it is not necessary nowadays for a candidate to come forward and tell the people that ho is going to be "led 'by the halter." What really is required h that a man shall have* a grasp of things generally; he mustibe a first-class judge of human nature, able to size up his man at a glance; thoroughly cognisant of the wants of a district and able to expound on them at the psychological moment and to the proper head; he need not necessarily go to church every Sunday, and he may take the best out of ife; if he is temperate in his beverages' so much the better (no man aids his country if he muddles his brains); he must not map out a programme that would reform the whole earth in one act, because people have working on specific problems e_ver since Noak opened the Ark and they have not yet reached a consummation; every candidate should let the people know that he, at least, possesses some knowledge of public wants . In my opinion, a member of Parliament should be the equal of Tom Pepper, because, even if ho does nfit believe in anything, he must always say that he does! He may be democrat, progressive, or otherwise; there are some "otherwise" in the House to-day who might well be relegated to obscurity, for their politics amount to £ s. d., their originality or progressiveness runs into fractions, and their influencesave us!—it goes into the other fallow's troubled ear and rapidly makes an exit from the free ear! • » » »

I wish to make it plain that ill-will is foreign to my nature. I think the candidates have advanced .nothing definite and their speeches baye been nothing above ordinary hustings' ebullitions. Like quite a lot of other people, "The Snark" -will be exercising the franchise without knowing exactly "where 'e are" or "wot 'e's votin' fer"! Maybe it will not matter much. My vote won't win the war, neither will the National Cabinet. K the cbosen of Taranaki will go to (Parliament with the honest intention of endeavoring to lighten the poor man's lot by having legislation enacted to stay profiteering—the exploitation of the public—be will find sufficient in hand to keep him occupied for a little space of time, and in due course meet with reward. Generally an able man, after a by» public service, is ousted from his M.P.-ship at the very first opportunity! After all, it isn't "all beer and skittles" being an MP., but being an M.P. and a blind follower of the National Cabinet isn't a sufficient qualification to entitle any man to hold the dignified position as representative of the people.