MR. A.W. HOGG.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4475, 20 July 1893, Page 3

MR. A.W. HOGG.

(Evming Prm.) And his roar Echoes along the shoro. — BonAastts Furioso, If Mr Alfred Saunders con fill the Houeo when lie speaks, no man can empty it so quickly ub the Honourable member for Masterion. When Mr Hogg catches the Speaker's eye, and makes his preliminary bow, members clutch their hats and vacate the premises. As a politician he is, as yet, in his infancy, but he tins already made a noiao in Parliament—many noises if the strict truth bo told regarding him, and he has made a strong impression on his fellow mem-bors-an impression so intensified by acquaintance, that they would be glad to bid bim a permanent adieu at the end of the session—or sooner if possible. The samo feeling also impresses and oppresses the reporters, the occupants of the galleries and (oh I whisper it not in Oath) the urbane Speaker himself. Mr A, W. Hogg, personally, is not what could tafoly be described as being " lovely" to look upon. It is not try business to comuent on his personal appearance, or upon the variety of his qualifications ob a modern Adonis or Caliban as n representative of true Liberalism; suffice it to say that I have met some of Mr Hogg's admirers, and not ono ol them has ever accused him of the crime of being as good looking as Treasurer Ward is, or as possessing tbo kingliko appearance of the autocratic Seddon. My mission is with the political features of members, and for what the member for Mastorton can't help he may ho forgiven; but it is impossible to extend the same rr.ctisuro of cloraoncy to the constituency which inflicted him on a longsuffering House of Representatives and the people who frequent the buildings during the session, Mr Hogg poses, as a rule, as the Peoples Friend, in a strident and aggressive tone, suggestive of the sans culottes of 1793. " Down with everything " ; " Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity with Me, tbe great Hogg, on top at the finish," Robespierre would have adored him, Marat have fairly worshipped him—for a week, and then guillotined him, He is great in working up the wants ol his district in tho roads and bridges lines; everything must givo way to this—even the exigencies of a Budget debate—and it is a toss up whether he, or Taranaki McGuire, is the most persistent beggar in this line, Yet be it observed by the way, that neither of them can ever hope to hold a candle to Eugene O'Conor at this particular game; he could wheedle, and has wheedled, a million out of Parliament for his beloved Buller with less exertion to himself than Messrs Hogg and Mr Quire combined could extract five thousand from the Treasury; but if the funds were there, and tbeir votes of value, it is possible that this well-matched pair would be plump on the goose. Mr Hogg has acted tho part of ajournalist at timos, For some years he gravitated between Dunedin and Mastertoo, halting at Ashburton and other places to give the literary criti.es a taste of his quality. I fancy some newspapers had a gaudy time during his career, it is not for me to bewail their fate, He came, saw, and if he didn't conquer it was for no want of vigourvigour in very black ink, very large type, and double-leaded at that; and vigour spelt incspitals and rehearsed in stertorian Doric By these and other accessories towards, reaching fame aud the Premiership of the colony Mr Hogg subsequently rose on the tide of labour agitation, and three years ago the power of his lungs and tbo excitement.consequent on the strikes carried him into Parliament, Many other members owe their upheaval and £2O per month to the same cause. With the coming dissolution, however, Mr Hogg and some of his political ilk, will probably find their way to political tionUnwept, unhonouretl, and unsung, HnißpA,