MR G. W. RUSSELL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 1 August 1913, Page 4

MR G. W. RUSSELL.

Mr G. W. Russell, the member for Avon, is playing the part of Opposition leader in the House of Representatives, but is playing it very indifferently. His criticisms are mostly of a negative character, and IKb flights of oratory are not regarded with seriousness, even by his own dismembered party. It remains to be seen what position he will occupy when Sir Joseph Ward reaches Wellington, The probabilities are that Sir Joseph will make it ® condition of his'accepting the leadership of the Opposition that the voluble member#

for CShristcshuroh shall observe tbe proprieties «f debate and bo less &s----sertire. The Opposition may do useful work if it devotes itself to honest criticise. Suah criticism ie most desirable if the best is to be got oiut of our party system of government. But when men of the calibre of Messrs Russell and laitt set themselves the task of ridiculing the efforts of the Government, and'resort to innuendo and personal abuse, they ah/tM* their ■utter incapacity to rise beyond the lust for office and tbe deBasing influence) of. splenetic partisanship;