Notes From the Harvest Field.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2288, 11 March 1912, Page 5

Notes From the Harvest Field.

[Bv “ Stookek.”]

THE POLITICAL SITUATION. During the late political fiasco anil the scliool-boy exchange of compliments from both sides of the House, one can hardly feel not only amused but sorry that politics have degenerated to such a level. What is a politician as properly recognised?—a man of high principle, cf high honor, and one who would despise, even under the slightest imputation, of doing anything which he would not do in his own private home in the bosom of his own family. What is politics of the present day amongst the majority of the House ? The mere making of a living on the duplicity of those who put them there. A politician in the true sense should with the principles already named, have that stake in the electorate he represents, which would justify him in saying " Whatever good the Dominion or my electorate may derive from my actions in Parliament, I too will derive a corresponding advantage." The deductions from this view of the case practically indicates nonparty Government; of that more-anon. Coming back to the present position of party Government we find the Liberal Government have had a very slight majority over the Opposition. The reason given is no-confidence in Sir Joseph Ward. Very well. Has Sir Joseph with all these bad qualities never done anything for the good of the Colony. If he has not why is he in his present posi lion and has been for so many years. Does the title of a Baronet detract from his personal worth as a politician of a high order. I say " Xo !"* but I say implicitly that democracy and titles do not sound well together, and although not democratic, the otter of a title to Sir Joseph at Home was certainly a big compliment to the Dominion and us,, in having such an able man to represent us at the conference. It recognised that we, although small in population, could produce a politician able to hold his own against the most able of the Old Country politician's and those of the other British Dominions. It recognised in addition, the excellence of his worth in the Dominion itself. Therefore allowing that Sir Joseph has all the fickle qualities charged against him, allow him to retire from his present position honorably as he is entitled to do. Don't kick him out as they are now trying to do, urged on by the wily Tory. (Reform party) (sic). Let the electors of the Dominion who have so benefitted by Sir Joseph's able administration for so many years come forward and say : " We desire a change of Government and. for vour past able work in the interest of the Dominion we beg to tender our highest appreciation. We think a change would be better for us all, if only as a change, and our request for the same is no reflection on your outstanding abilities." A great many of those who have so benefitted under the Liberal Government, a Government who placed them on the land on an equal footing with the capitalist, who provided them with cheap money to relieve them from the claws of the capitalist (who demanded his 10 per cent and 20 per cent,) (and who intended keeping those individually in their clutches for all time which in manj' cases they did). Take the Old Age Pensioners who were made by the Liberal Government independent of anyone, old pioneers who bore the brunt of colonising the colony before the advent of railways and bridges, but who are now able to live in independence and comfort for the rest of their lives. That is Liberalism and humanity in one combination. Those who secured holdings years ago under such generous terms through the Lands Department, now through the natural prosperity of the Dominion have risen from poor to rich turn around to the Government who so helped them, and say begone.—When poor they were Liberals —riches brings forth the savouring of Toryism. Oh base ingratitude admit your appreciation ami if justifiable then condemn, but —don't ignore the goodness and only specify the bad—if any. At the present time a great number of the electors of the Dominion are hinging their faith on the so called Reform party. What justifies them in doing so? Has this party shown any special aptitude that we should look to them for all that is good ; are they so perfect that they would not. perpetuate the same weaknesses as they are now trying to level against, the present Government? The real Tory, who is now stumping the country under the cognomen of Reform; have we not had a sample of them and the works they do up to 21 years ago. Did this party wandering under the guise of Reform again enter into power, what would happen?—A repetition of what, occurred when they were in power. How the country was then, and how those now clamoring for the return of the Tory party know better than they can be told. The Torys have adopted the taking epigram of Reform. What are they going to reform ? Their supporters will say the present style of Government and its principles. The reform will be to take from the people the great advantages conferred on the people by the present Government; to repeal ail that is adverse to capitalism. What lias been the outcome of the late short session recently prorogued till June? Why nothing at all. The Torys have shown no higher interest in I lie welfare and economy of the country than has the present Government —if as much. For the sake of personal notoriety they had only one goal ahead—the treasury benches-, and once they attained them their other actions would be equally seductive. Knowing the Labor vote hoLls the balance both the present Government and the Opposition pretend to consult them in all things, so that either parly may hold office. The country prows tired of this and allowing the Labor vote to imagine they predominate in the political situation is not conducive to the true welfare and progress of the Dominion. The cost of the tour-try in making laws must be vtry great. The Federal Parliament of Australia, epsting £6OO a day, cannot possibly ' return to the country an adequate recompense for the outlay. Neither can the Dominion of JN T ew Zealand, on one third of that amount. The Canadian Parliment is composed of 27 merchants, 32 farmers, IS doctors, 10 journalists, and no less than than 75 lawyers. There are only two capitalists in the [louse, and only one Labor member. Just imagine one Labor member in a House of, 321, and nevertheless Canada has fewer Labor troubles and equal if not better prosperity than this Dominion. Let the Labor vote uudwvtaud there are

others who have to live besides themselves, and not try to dominate the country—as the Premier of Queensland told the tramcar strikers “ there could not be two Governments in the State.” Here we cannot have it either. On the other hand let the Capitalist recognise he is obtaining his daily profits from the labor of his men ; men as good as himself and in many cases much better. Recognised on these lines and the installation of an independent Arbitration Court. Labor and Capital should go hand in hand. In short let the great number of the unemployed, (who are always unemployed unless by natural circumstances compelled to work) be made to work and at a reasonable wage and the Liquor question controlled by the State, whereby idlers and drunkards would be removed from the street corners and bars, and the production produced by this at present unused Labor would greatly add to an increased export and the benefit of the country, commercially and morally. Let the country reduce the members of Parliament by one half, and apply the money saved to making roads and bridges into country they should resume. We want more close settlement and loss legislation. A country having a population of about one million does not require and cannot afford 70 to SO Ml,P's. The money can be more advantageously spent in the interest of all classes. In fact if we selected from the Dominion 20 to 30 of its practical and honorable men we would not require Party Government, and many of those in the House now, could more profitably turn their attention to shearing sheep, or guiding the plough, for which occupations they arc more fitly adapted.