THE INDEPENDENT MEMBER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1627, 30 August 1887, Page 3

THE INDEPENDENT MEMBER.

An StßonoN Ltbic, Away with your parties, their mottoes and cries, I scorn all political fetters and ties ; Let others hang on to Hall, Togel, or Ston*, I claim the proud right to twht clean round about. To-day I’m a Liberal —that’s if I choose— To-morrow my vole I am free to refuse To this side or that, for I’ll follow no tail, But still “ Independent ’’ I'll »it on a rail. A wise and aafe watchword is “Measures, not msn,” It gives me a chanon to twist round now and then j Besides, it sounds well and bamboozles the mob, And often it covers a nice little job, If sent to the House, you’ll discover ia me A man who will hold himself perfectly free To oat oh every fresh breeze that comes to his sail— ■ ‘ ■ A true “ Independent,” I’ll sit on a rail. I’ll lake to the House a reversible coat, A patriot’s heart, and a patriot’s vote, And there, in my own and the Colony’s cause, I’ll use all my wisdom in framing the laws 5 And should a “No-Confidence” motion come on, My garment reversible then I shall don ; Those nice civil fellows—the Whips —l’ll go bail, Will pay me all kinds of respeet on the rail. The leaders on both sides 1 the House do not care - A fig for the member whose vote is “all there.” They say to the Whip*, “Oh, he’s only a friend Upon whose support we can always depend ; Don’t bother with him, but go seek Mr Twist. And strive all you can to get him ‘on the list,’ Just hint at a vacant 1 porttoly’— don’t fail. And help the dear fellow to slip off the rail,” The man who’s returned “ Independent ” and

tree, la frequently asked out to dinner and tea, At Balls and “At Homes” hie society’s sought, He’s vary important, indeed, till he’s “caught;” A smile or a glance from a bright pair of eyes May capture the member who’s weak and not wise, But I have a “backbone” as strong as a whale, ,i I’m not to be caught by a sprat on the rail. The great “ Middle Party,” I do not dislike. Although I’ve but little m common with Pyke; He merely belongs to the newspaper crew, Who’re bother’d with brains, and write for a “ screw.” Then Scobie Mackenzie’s pedantic you know, And Oaversham Barron is only “ so so ”; But in Downio Stewart a brother I’ll hail— Ob, Arcades Ambo! we'll sit on a rail. ’lis true if I really unburden’d my mind, A place ’mong the Tories I’d certainly find, For all my proclivities twine aronnd those Who boast of “ big stakes ” and who wear ewellish clothes. The deuce of it ie, when a gentleman “ stands,” The low, common fellows, who work with their bands, Have votes, and my colours I therefore can't nail To Torydom’s mast—l must sit on a rail. —Lyttelton Times.