THE "STRAIGHT" POLITICIAN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 9 December 1913, Page 4

THE "STRAIGHT" POLITICIAN.

Sir George Reid proudly disclaimed being a straightforward man, politically. In fact, he brought strong argument to show that .in politic/5 such n man would soon be "'down and out." It was at the Millions Club luncheon at Sydney last Aveelc that the Prime Minister declared that Sir George Reid, while always willing to give way on small details, clung tenaciously. to his maiii principles. I Later on,' when ho had the chance of reply, Sir George saul that the Prime Minister had charged him with having done some skilful steering in '.natters of detail. ''The greatest humbug in public life," added Sir George, "is, the man who,, when starting an, ,a voyage, declares Ws port of destination and won't tack and fill in order to get there in the shortest possible time. The true lbyal public man is the one who declares for-an honest port and takes advantage of every wind and every tide'in order to get there quickly". Let us look at the straightforward politician. He declares for a port; he gets his ship outside Sydney Heads; he puts her nose across the chart to the distant port, and he lashes his helm, saying: 'I am a straightforward man. I have lashed my helm to go straight for that port.'" Amid deep silence Sir George proclaimed, "What an ass he was/elf? Why," he continued, "that straightforward politician begins by being a derelict. Even ~ny friends never accused me of treachery to my principles, and as for what my enemies d*d, well, they never could raise my gorge."