"CONFOUND THEIR POLITICS."

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 243, 13 October 1902, Page 2

"CONFOUND THEIR POLITICS."

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —- In my first rise in. life from a preparatory school to a Grammar School at my appearance in the play-ground where prisoners^base was in full force I found myself amongst a group of big- boys, pulling- at me and asking1 me. "Youngster, what's your father;a Whig or a Tory?" "A Whig," I promptly replied, for I had once seen a Judge and counsel hi a County Assize Court, and I had hit off an air of respectability. A rough and tumble amongst the Whigs and a lever behind from the Tories convinced me to alter my tactics, and ia another day when prisoners-base was on I' quietly popped myself amongst some big Tories, who observed my change about. They told me to be quiet "and they would take care of me! When Lord Palmerstcm was in office the two parties were called Conservatives and Liberals. Of course there was and always will be a large mixture of the latter, and Cobden and Bright had to be hooked into the Premier's camp to strengthen his power; now and then a Conservative would be added. Hence the title of Liberal-Conservative seemed to attach to "men who sought reform— men who "went with the times hut avoided going beyond them!" Such, T esteem to be the principles of a representative in Parliament. "Keform what is needed to be reformed, •but conserve wharf; da worth toonserving!" What we need now is men who can afford to be independent: but the people, as electors, need to school themselves and allow their members freedom of action. I admire the reply of our Mayor, Mr. Kidd, to the deputation seeking his' election, viz., "Not to be bound to any party." We are weighted with heavy laws, and as regards those affecting the labouring class will find when a depression of trade takes place will be the greatest sufferers. Talkino- to a thrifty working man yesterday he remarked "That the working man wanted to be left to mind Ms own 'business, that he was getting too much law!"—I am, etc.,,-" W. F. HAMMOND.