MINISTERS ON MINISTERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10658, 13 June 1912, Page 5

MINISTERS ON MINISTERS.

MR MACKENZIE AND HIS

COLLEAGUES

EXTRACTS /FROM HANSARD

In the course of his address at Clareville on Tuesday night, Mr W. C Buchanan., M.P., quoted from Hansard the. remarks of the Hon. T. Mackenzie some years ago concerning Messrs Laurenson, EI I, and Russell, his present colleagues. Mr Mackenzie had said that "these men ridiculed farmers' unions and associations, and every one of them urged heavy land taxes. They lived in towns and knew nothing of the agricultural industry, and yet imagined they were, in consequence . of that ignorance, the people -who alone -had the knowledge .best calculated to make the agriculturist prosper, and to tell him what-to, do." Mr Mackenzie Mid advised these gentlemen (now in his Cabinet) to go and live and work in the country instead of talking, and so understand something of the aspirations and difficulties of ths farmers. (Applause). Mr Buchanan then quoted Mr Laurenson, one of the present Ministers, on Mr Mackenzie, the Premier. Mr Laurenson said:—"I want now to deal with the how. member for Waikouaiti (Mr Mackenzie). He is a real type of the free lance. Some three or four hundred years ago a lot of men were alwals going wrom Scotland to the Oon.tinen/t with their swords open to charter by anyone who would hire •them, and the bon. .gentleman is one of the time type of those free lances. .He would fight for anyone. 'He would fight for us if we would give him the inducement of a (portfolio. I believe he is gradually coming round to see the position from our standpoint, and 'that presently you will find him fighting on our side.'' Mr Mackenzie was then a member of the Opposition, but Mr Laureneon's prophecy was fulfilled, and Mr Mackenzie "turned his coat and became a Liberal. What, said Mr Buchanan, could be expected of a, Cabinet so composed? (Applause). • '