AN OPPOSITION CRITIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 257, 23 July 1908, Page 9

AN OPPOSITION CRITIC.

| THE MINISTRY AND ITS SUPPORTERS. THE "SILENT I 'MEMBER".'SPEAKS OUT. "Somo of tho supporters of tho Ministry aro nondescripts," said Mr. Hardy (Sclwvn) in tho House of Representatives yesterday, in a criticism of tho Ministry and its supporters. "A weak-kneed, limp-back Ministry," was his reference to tho Ministry itself, —"like tho man with his donkey, trying to pleaso overyono, and pleasing no one'.v He pointed to tlio Minister for Customs and Labour (the Hon. J. A.-Millar). "Ho is a first-rate man; and a mail I esteem highly becauso he -has got tlio courago of his convictions." But that was beforo tho Minister was on tlio Ministerial benches. Ho had backed down over tho Arbitration Bill badly last year. The Bill had been a good one, but the agitator was too mnJiy for him. And throughout' tho; length and breadth of tho Dominion tho agitator. had been listened to. .Mr. Hardy knew;Mr; Millar to bo a fair man, but whon put to the test, ho had gono down, and lid had' g'ono down becauso of-.his associates in tho Cabinet. "I can understand Cabinet saj'ing, 'Don't do it Millar, don't do it; thoso are the people who have votes in tho city, and wo must cater for tho votes.' " "I, admire the Minister for Justice," proceeded Mr. Hardy, "becauso ho has a stiff back." He was- not one of tlio weak-backed ones—but lie,was amongst them. (Laughter.) As to tho : Minister for Lands, when tho Land Bill two sessions ago was beforo Parliament ho had nailed his colours to the mast (hear, hear.) —hut ho had pulledthem down. (Laughter.) . "I; 1 would have gone ,o(f those benches," cried"Mr. Hardy, "rather; than dp what ho did. But," he continued, "thero is hope for him yet! l am going to get him married." (Laughter.)

"Then my friend, tho Minister for Education —ho is a weak man, too." Mr. Fisher: Ho is away at tho races. (Laugh tof.) ... . ~

Mr. Hardy: "Oil 110, ho isn't. Ho is like, myself, and minds his business. Ho is a good administrator, and I think 110 is looking after his Department to tlio best' of his ability." But Mr. Hardy did not liko the maii T nor in which; the Minister had given way over tlio Burnham Industrial School and To Oranga Homo agitations. He believed Mr. Fowlds had known' t-licss institutions wore well-manapcd, but had given way to thocrios for commissions ,of, enquiries—only to find that his beliefs' wcro correct. The Burnham School had'been; splendidly managed by Mr. Archie. The work ho had dono was a credit to this Dominion, but some weak-kneed supporters began to writo to tlio Minister, and ho very weakly gave way. A commission was appointed, and it proved conclusively that the Home was .managed splendidly. Tho samo thing occurred at To Oranga ITomo, whero the matron was doing w;ork fivo: times as difficult as Mr. Archie had dono at 13urnliam. After tho Minister was so-weak-kneed as to givo way to tlio representations made, thoro was a foolish expenditure of money on a commission; and tlio, report cleared tho matron. Ho knew, and tho Minister know, that good work was ibeing dono there. Then why on earth, lie asked, had the Minister agreed to hold an inquiry under such circunvgtanocl.