THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1912. THE OUTLOOK OF POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10568, 26 February 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1912. THE OUTLOOK OF POLITICS.

The outlook for tho politics of New Zealand would liavo been dark and dismal indeed, were it not that tho public conscience has (been aroused iby the incidents of the last few days to a sense of the iniquities which may be perpretated in the name of party. It was only a few days back that the hollow shams and make-be-lieves who have been parading in the

name of Liberal ism were exposed in their true couours in the columns of this paper. At 'that time there' was a hope that the dawn of a new era, an era when political corruption ami ineptitude would be despised, was approaching. 'But events have since transpired which are calculated to create the suspicion that there are depths to which politicians will descend io secure their political ends which have not yet .'been fathomed. A mouth or two ago, when the country nas in the throes of ail election, the lengths to which Ministers and their .supporters would go to retain place and power were painfully emphasised. Ihe people realised that the great concern cf Ministers was not so much the advancement of the interests of the Dominion, as the retention of the power and emoluments of office. And the country, in its indignation, 'resolved to put an end to this political humbug. But what has been -the result ! J The party which was beaten and discredited in the country, which had a minority in the ■House after every possible allowance was made for doubtfuls, has had the audacity to attempt to thwart the will of the people by pandering to a small minority which was returned under a pledge to uso every legitimate influence to terminate the reign of the designing quacks who have been masquerading in the name of Liberalism. Gould .anything be more "shocking to the senses of honourable men than to witness members of Parliament, in whom the public had reposed a most sacred trust, applauding the action of a man who is prepared to violate what is tantamount to a pledge? Has ever a greater reproach been cast upon the •Parliament of New Zealand than the admission of a member of that Parliament that he was prepared, without compunction, to repudiate the position he had tnken up at the ballot ? Does tlie public realise what the violation of a pledge implies? Does- it know that a man who gives his word,, and ] upon that word secures the confidence j of the people, is guilty of a breach of faith if he breaks that, word without ample justification ? And what can foe thought of an individual, or body of individuals, who- would' encourage people to pursue this course? Have politics sunk to so low an ebb in this country that men are prepared to .sacrifice every vestige of personal honour that they might defeat the expressed will of the people? Sir Joseph Ward is continually prating about his honour, .and Iris fine sense of propriety. Is he, or is he not aware, that certain members went to Parliament under a distinct pledge to vote against the Ward Administration ? If he is so aware, does he regard it as consistent with the code of honour that an attempt should be made, either iby word, deed or gesture, to m'duce those men to violate their pledges? If he regards,, it as" dishonourable to violate a pledge, does lie consider it a proper thing to reap a temporary political advantage iby such a violation? Sir Joseph Ward and Ims Administration were on their trial at the elections. They were condemned iby puilic opinion, as express-: ecf jit the polls. It is too late now" to set up the defence of justification, or iprovocaion. -The verdict has ;been. j given.' The finding cif the jury must ibe respect-ed. If it is flouted by the Legislature, we shall be in serious peril of a social revolution.