THE DEVICE THAT FAILED.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 524, 3 June 1909, Page 4

THE DEVICE THAT FAILED.

We have a shrewd suspicion that a leading politician in the Auckland province is having some amusing experiences just now. We drew attention in last Saturday's issue to what wc described as the "last resort" of an embarrassed Government to trick members into neglecting their obvious duty to the country in order to enable 3m Joseph Ward to attend the Naval Conference in London on hi 3 own ■ terms. The device in question was to induce Mr. Massey to accompany; Sin Joseph- Ward to London, and so remove the chief stumbling block to the plans of Ministers for a postponement of the session. Mr. Massey must have chuckled at the ovident straits of his political opponents in being driven to this transparent expedient, and he must have been still more amused at the manner in which some of the more unsuspecting of his friends failed to perceive •the motive underlying the action. Were'] ho prepared to relate his experiences of the past few days, we bolievo the public would join with him in hearty onjoy» infcnt of the humours of the • situation! However, those,friends of the Government, who have been doing tho ground—or shall we say _ underground I—baiting for .this littlo piscatorial expedition, must now bo realising that the fish will not bite. Mr. Massey has said that tho session must go on. Mr. Massey has merely said what is tho opinion of, and what will be endorsed by, the whole country. Mr. Massey will, we believe, stick rigidly to his determination, and if his party sticks to him, as there is no reason to doubt they will, wc shall hoar very little more about this, scandalous proposal to hang up tho country's business to suit the personal desires of a member of tho Government. We repeat what wo have said before on a number of occasions: If tho Prime Minister deems it his duty, or if it is his desire to go to England, lot him pluck up his Courage and go—but tho business of the country, must go on. Members, no matter wliat party they may belong to, must insist on this. The country is heartily sick of all this mako-beliovo. and mystery where thoro should bo none. A littlo straightforward dealing, a proper candour on matters which concern the whole community, would, be 'a welcome and .wholesome change. '