A CANDID CRITICISM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9552, 27 July 1909, Page 5

A CANDID CRITICISM.

"THE POST" ON MR HOGG. The following criticism appeared in last evening's edition of the "Evening Post," as an editoral. The article com:r.g as it does from an organ which has always been a strongsupporter of the Member for Masterton, is an interesting commentary on the actions of the ex-Minisler for Labour during the last month or two. "The science of politics," said Mr A. W. Hogg, at Petone, a week ago, "has attained the dignity of a new religion. When I listen to the fervid appplause from audiences 1 have addressed from time to time, I seem to think I am listening to psalms and to hymns that can hardly be expressed in language." In this delightfully ingenuous fashion the late Minister of Labour expresses the comfort which he is receiving- in his retirement from the friendliness of public meetings in different parts of the country. We are no more disposed now to grudge the fallen Minister whatever solace he may derive from these demonstrations of sympathy than when the blow first fell: but when he talks of persona! displays of this jort as representingsome new development in "the science of politics" it is really time to protest. Uncritical as a popular audience commonly is, not many of those who have been applauding Mr Hogg: during the last few weeks can have so seriously misapprehended the significance of what they have been doing as he has himself. They have been expressing their general approval of the principles for which he stands and their warm appreciation of the courage and the disinterestedness with which he sacrificed his position in the Ministry to his advocacy of those principles. But they have really not been making any newcontributions to the science, or even to the art of politics. What Mr Hogg appears be mistaking for the dawn of a new era is really nothing more than the old familiar truth that popular applause is sweet. That Mr Hogg's elation may be giving him an exaggerated idea of his importance, and so may lead him to take a false step of a more serious character than that which he is now celebrating, becomes obvious fpom his interview with a Herald"-reporter, When fi.rafc M t*s jjfl«tffo*nV afjer, his resignation/ jie/ £«? hopes of thfjt to organise rebellion JU the Libera) 1 ranks. Now, however, h§ seems fro ' be inclining tbftt way WHfer f&@ §?f k 1 j» - ■> ' •; -~\~' • -"" PB?BUasion of the meetings which have been greeting him so kindly. "I hope," said Mr Hogg, to the "Her- " aid" representative, "in conjunction 3 with some other members belonging to the Government party who have identified themselves with my plat; • form, that a fairly good pajty w|JJ fee ■ formed in the House* 8&B» '?? &e members I anticipate will joiri With ! us in taking up this position.". What positipn? ■Ja there to be a " "cave" or A JMfc-Wlnft 6? eVeri !k separate organisation altdgetHei* acting independently of or efe3 $ opposition to the Liberal party? Mr' Hogg neither affirms nor denies; "Will you have a formally constituted party under a\definite leader?" was one of the questions submitted by the interviewer. "It is premature to speak of that." replied Mr Hogg. "I cannot yet say what will be done, but I think we will be able to make our voice heard to some purpose during the session/' He added that he would maintain his personal independence, as he had "never been tied to any party." It is singular that a man who less than two months ago was a member of the Cabinet, and to all appearance quite comfortable in the position, should be able to say "I have never been tied to any party." It is also clear that if the ex-Minister's practical interpretation of his theory of political freedom develops during the next two months as rapidly as it has during the last two, the opening of the session will find him in a position of absolute revolt. We feel sure that this would be a serious mistake—far more serious for the member for Masterton than for his late colleagues or for the party with which he has hitherto been able to co-operate. It would be lamentable if New Zealand were to be afflicted now with the third party system which has so grievously hampered cur friends in the Commonwealth. But we cannot believe that Mr Hogg will be strong enough to inflict his curse upon us, even if he determines to make the attempt. He may summon to his banner other discontented spirits from the "vasty deep" of Liberalism, but they are not at all come if he does call on them. From the Opposition hJ3 platform is even more remote than from the Government; and Labour, which, now that he is in revolt, is giving him hearty encouragement, was thoroughly dissatisfied with his administration of the Labour Department during his bripf term. To the normal supporters hia platform appears at once too ad- ' vanced and too narrow to attract them. , Where, then, is his following to come from? If he will continue t* push his views'on land tenure and land settlement from his present vantage-ground within the Liberal Party, his recent experience with its conclusive proof of his consistency and his honesty may strengthen his hands for a work as to which we believe him to be right in th main. But an attempt to launch a third party would inevitably result in a fiasco which would involve persona humiliation and the crippling ut his power for good.