THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1911. MR SYKES' ADDRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10303, 3 August 1911, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1911. MR SYKES' ADDRESS.

The reception accorded Mir G. B. Sykes, in his .maiden speech in the 'Master-ton Town Hall last evening, vfas fluttering toia s degree. large not < only listened with keen ■atteiition ,to the address given, but demonstrated its. appreciation of the views enunciated by tlhe candidate by frequent outbursts of applause. From the very aorairaenicemaiit of his speech, Mr Syke9 showed not only (that lie possesses a grasp of the burning political questions of the day, but that he is a platform speaker of no mean ability. The clear and •concise manner in which he dealt with the land question; his telling ctutieism of tlie borrowing policy of the Government; his enunciation! of the platform which he regarded as best for the weMare of the country; and his unequivocal condemmafciian of the reckless administratikwi of I (recent years, at once enlisted the igympatthy of a large portion of his audience. Mi- Sykes left no doubt 'in the minds of those present as to the side wMch he occupies in politics. He is not a rail-sitter. He does mot pander to either the (lasses or the masses. He is an Opposition l -"' li«t by sheer comrvietion, and tV very earnestness he displays must command for him the respect of even those who may differ from Mm on the major political questions of the day. Tlhere were no trimmings (about the political dish which <he offered, no fumiy stories thrown in to divert attenftioD from the grave is- I

sues wliidh are at stake. Mr Sykes realises, as thousands of others axe beginning to realise, that if this country is to occupy that important position of the Empire wihdch has been designed for it by Nature and environment, its affairs must be conducted cxl business and patriotic lines, and not on linos of.expediency. Ho realises that the present Government has outrun' its usefulness; that the ship of State is almost rudderless'; that it is floating about on we sea of opportunism like a helpless derelict j and that only good men at the helm and a strong, courageous crew of patriots an the deck can aave it fnom being overwhelmed in disaster. The policy enunciated by Mr Sykes has a ring of genuineness about it. That it should agree dn almost every detail with the policy outlined by Mr Messey is a tribute to the good judgment of the candidate/, amd a complimemt to the Leader of the Opposition. Space will not permit of a detailed reference to the various pC'aufes in the platform iso elaborately and effectively expounded. Suffice to nay tltoat Mor Sykes has 'Shown himself possessed of a shrewd perception of the political situation as> it is today; that lie has honestly and, fearlessly declared tb& position- wiliiich he occupies in ,the campaign; and that he created a. very deep impreasMm upon i tQiose who listened to ms "maiden | speech. He has made, an excellent I start, and as he becomes ,i little more accustomed to tho pliaaTorm he will be a--force to bo reckoned with in the politics of the country.