AT MR MASSEY'S WILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9543, 15 July 1909, Page 3

AT MR MASSEY'S WILL.

A LIBERAL ON THE GOVERN M EKT. "The practical expulsion of Mr Hogg from the Ministry snaps the last frail link that bound the genuine Liberals to the present Government," says Mr A. R. Barclay, an ex-Gov-ernment member of Parliament, in a letter to t'ie "Otago Daily Times." "For long now many have held 011 hoping against hope that they might be deceived in the turn thoy feared things were taking. Hut there is now no further room for any such delusive thought. It is clear beyond question that there is now "little to choose between the present Administration and the regime of Mr Massey. In fact, Mr Massey might almost as well be Prime Minister. For it is he that dictates the policy of the Government. A Land Bill is brought down-a Bill that is an excellent piece of workmen tirely iri accordance with the traditions and views of the Lioeral school of politics. The colours are nailed to the mast. There is to be no surrender. The cry is, "Co or die!" Butlo! before a shot is fired—before there is even the scent of danger—back comes the Bill, down come the colours, and a disgraceful surrender of half the measure is pitifully made at Mr Massey's dictation —and he sitting with some 14 or 15 followers at most behind him, while the bold Government numbers some 60 odd valiant adheranta! Was ever the like heard of? "The State Departments must be placed under the Audit Office, says Mr Massey. "Oh, certainly," replies Sir Joseph, "it shall be done at once.' 'I command retrenchment all round,'says the Leader of the Opposition,. 'Why, certainly, sir, says the humble Government, 'we'll do it forthwith,' And so the story goes on. The dictator commands. The Government obsequiously obeys. Was ever a Government in such a humiliating position? Lacking backbone, lacking firmness, wanting in determination, courage, foresight, and statesmanship, it would appear to consist merely of so many automatons worked at his will by the member for Franklin. "This kaleidoscopic Ministry—ever changing and ever introducing still more an 3 more incongruous elements; —what is there to be hoped from it or what progress can it possibly make? Hopelessly divided in itself on nearly every vital plank, of the political platform, what can it do but sit still and do nothing?''