SIR JOSEPH WARDS WINTON SPEECH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10055, 28 May 1910, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARDS WINTON SPEECH.

To the Editor. Sir,—lt was not unreasonably anticipated that the Premier when addressing his constituents at Winton on sth inst. would have given some indiction of the Government's policy on the land question, but he studiously refrained from making direct allusion thereto, contenting himself with outlining its intentions for next session with regard to matters of a less? controversial nature; and thinking electors can only conclude that he fears to declare outright either for freehold or leasehold tenure, lest he lose the support of those of his party who believe to a certain extent in one or other of ths3e tenures but who apparently believe stili more in holding on to the Government benches by hook or by crook and who are quite willing tu sink their personal preferences, so long as they are allowed to retain their seats —• and incidental!'', their emoluments. Could a more pitiful condition of affairs exi3t, than that ths Government of a reputedly democratic and enlightened country should have no fixed policy regardng the moat vital question before the colony, but that it should go hat in hand to the electors by a Commission of Enquiry, perhaps—and say, "Tell us what you want and we will let you have it: we will grant you which tenure you prefer, if only we are allowed to retain office, but we wilt not risk our seat,3 over the question." Reduced to small i compass this is really the position of the Government, and it would be hard to imagine any body of self-respect-ing men ocupying a more unenviable or degrading situation. It is clear beyond dispute that the Government is still'hunting for a land policy which will not conflict with its continued occupancy of the Treasury benches, and that it is ready to grant either freehold or leasehold, if only it is allowed to remain in power. Is this the Government that brags of its legislative abiilty, and that invites other nations to laud its progressiveness? Are the people asleep, that they have not long ere now seen through the utter hollawness of a Government that v fcars to formulate a policy, lest it should fail to cairy it when appeal is made to the electorates? By its dishonourable tactics, the Government has provided an example of moral cowardice unparalleled in the puhlic life of any country, and it iB to the discredit of New Zealand that ita people have, w thout protest, allowed its reputation to be besmirched by those who, having r,o fissed convictions cf their own, go bogging for the opinion of tha public, so that they may shape thsir political course accordingly, and thereafter take credit to themselves for having correctly gaugfd the mind of the electors! There are limits to nacst things, but the effrontery of the Government in this connection is unbounded, and it reflects somewhat unfavourably on the electors that they hsve so lung tolerate:! a party that retains its office ODly by the sacrifice of its honour. There are times when it is difficult to keep ones words within the bounds of parliamentary language, -sud restraint must be exercised by anyone who desires to express an independent mird on the tactics of a Govern nent that fears to say "yes" or "no" of its own accord, but which is ready to say either according as the wind of .public opinion may bio w ! How does this moral cowardice compare vrith the Premier's reported words at Wir.ton—"The Government ha 3 done its duty fearlessly and honestly." I leave it to the unbiassed public t) say. Yours, etc., JAME3 GOLDER. Alford Forest Road, Ashburton, ■ May 23rd, 1910.