THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1907. IS HE SINCERE?

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9011, 21 December 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1907. IS HE SINCERE?

1 It is scrnewhafc unfortunate for Mr T. Mackenzie, ni amber for Wailcouaiti, that his conversion from political Independence to Dependence should come about just before the wipirg out of 'his electorate in accordance "with the re-adjusted electoral divisions, which come into operation at the general election next year. Mr Mackenzie for many years has posed as an Independent, and although he was never taken quite seriously by either of the other parties in ■ Parliament, it has always been admitted that he is an able politician, and his uncompromising!} honest attitude won for him general esteem. The sudden "Jim Crow" movement has come as a surprise to many of his political colleagues, and a section of the Opposition press is insinuating that the "change of view" of the lion, and contrite member is probably attributable to the desire to secure a seat under the aegis of the Government rather than be thrust out of political life. This is an unkind view to take of a legislator whose rectitude has never been questioned in the past; but it is one of the evils of party journalism that it frequently nuts into practice the axiom that "any stick is good enough to beat a dog with," and Mr Mackenzie has given some cause for criticism. He has offered an explanation of his'action, which even so strong a Government organ as the "New Zealand Times" considers would have been better omitted. The ,

hen. member gives it to be understood that he is pioneering a movement which is to saMe.-4:ho,country from the deadly grip of the growing Socialistic party. His words are : "I, for one, in view of the change that has come over the position of public affairs, intend to support Sir Joseph Ward, and to encourage him in every way in doing; good work for the people of this dominion. I cannot refrain from expressing the opinion that unless at this juncture or in the near future other public men should see their way to do likewise it will. I fear, require no gift of second sight to foresee into whose hands the balance of power in this country will shortly fall." There is a patriotic ring about this. The country is in danger and Mr Mackenzie leads the way to safety. But lias he not jumped into the breach too soon? There can be no danger to the Government from Radicalism nest session, and it would have been time enough for Mr Mackenzie to take a definite stand aftor the general election, if the position of parties was then found such as to justify him in sacrificing his convictions for the sake of his country. Of .course there be those who think that no country can be benefited by the sacrifice of conscientious and enlightened conviction; but such persons are generally out of the poiiitcal arena. Mr Mackenzie, had he thought the matter out, could not have hoped to any good by his lergiversation at the present juncture, and even with the aid of the powerful ally he h:?s secured there is just n possibility of hi.s failure to obtain a new seat. In that cise he will have laid himself open to serious misconception without any personal gain or advantage to the country.