NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1218, 29 August 1911, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

In another column we give some extracts from the Blue Book on the Imperial Conference of an exceedingly interesting, instructive, and not altogether unentertaining character. Tlicro is no, comment necessary upon Sir Joseph Ward's naive exposure of his anxiety for an "open" Conference: he had suffered so much from the private discussion in 1907 that, to quote- his own words, "nis existence was not known for some time after the commencement of that Conference." Our readers will supply the smile themselves. It will bo seen that Sir Joseph Ward was heckled very vigorously indeed by the other members of the Conference with regard to his proposal for an Imperial Council. They sought strenuously to discover what ho meant; they were obviously; staggered at the vagueness and 'inconsistencies of his argument. Our delegate showed really great skill in evading point after point. This, for example, is delightful; Mr. Batcholor: You would have. legislative power? Sir Joseph Ward; It would require legislative power to enable it to carry out its functions. Tho President: That is very important. Is it proposed that this Council should havo legislative powers? Sir Joseph Ward: I intend to explain presently what I think it should have. The President: Jlr. Balchelor asked tho question, and I understood you to say yes. Sir Joseph Ward: Yes, I propose that it should bo created by legislation. The President: Created by legislation, yes; but to have legislative power is a different thing. Sir Joseph Ward: And that its powers should bo defined by legislation. And so he turned and doubled throughout tho debate in tho s most amusing manner., The fact is, of course—and it is obvious that his fellow delegates discovered this in a very few minutes—that Sir Joseph Ward-really knew'very little about tho matter at all. We fancy he rather over-estimated, in his speech on Saturday night, the effect of this famous proposal of his upon tho Conference.

Trie letter of Mr. Atmore, the Independent Liberal candidate for the Nelson seat, which appeared in yesterday's issue, is of interest if only for the evidence it affords of some of the difficulties which confront those who have been attempting to remove from the political life of tho Country the blight which has fallen on the administration of its ■affairs under the AVard Ministry. Mr. Atmore quite frankly admits the rottenness that has crept into the administrative methods of the Government and he condemns them unsparingly. After quoting Edmund Burke on "The Use and Abuse of Party," he goes on to say:

Burke used these strong but well-found-ed terms of condemnation, and apparently scouted the idea that party politics could ever so degenerate; and yet no thinking man in nnr Dominion at the present timo will do.ubt that we have reached the lowest depths of party degradation so justly and forcibly reprobated by that eminent authority. We have witnessed the rapid Amer.icanisation of our politics in the introduction of the "spoils to the victors" policy, and whilst honest Liberals are in accord with the greater part of the measures introduced by the present Government, they must condemn many acts of administration which are palpably dishonest and obviously made for party purposes.

This is very straightforward and outspoken criticism, and there is not the least doubt that a large proportion of those who support the Government know perfectly well that it is absolutely true. The puzzling thing is that anyone knowing that this state of things exists can support a Government responsible for it. Surely it must bo perfectly obvious that a Government guilty of such conduct—even though it may introduce certain legislation deserving of approval—is utterly unworthy to be entrusted with the enormous powers which the Ministry of the day possesses. If its administration is dishonest and it abuses the trust reposed in it in the manner stated, how can any honest man who has any regard for the interests of his country and for the standard of its national life vote for any member supporting such a Government? The admissions that, arc being made by 'the "candid friends" of the Ward Ministry and by the "honest Liberals" who resent the dragging in the mire of the good name of Liberalism, arc significant as affording evidence of tho awakening of the public to a proper recognition of the necessity for a change in the personnel of the little ring of men who have for so long dominated the country's affairs and who, have so selfishly utilised their position to serve their own ends.

The announcement of the intention of Sin Jons Findlay to contest a seat at the general elections does not seem to have provoked any great amount of enthusiasm amongst the rank and file of the Government following in Parliament. Quite the reverse would appear to he the case. The new knight has not endeared himself to tlie members of the party, but lie is a penona r/rcitfi with the head of the Government and that is really everything as things are at present. _ If Sir Joseph W'akd says that his righthand man is to have a soft and safe seat we have not the least doubt that the softest and safest seat will be chosen for him and the rank and file will have to grin and bear it.

Exactly the reason why Sir John Findlay is not popular with a large section of the Government following is not quite clear. No doubt some resentment is felt over the circumstance that, despite the. fact that he was without any political experience, and after his somewhat emphatic rejection at the polls, he was appointed to the Legislative Council and taken into the Ministry. This in itself was of course remarkable and not altogether pleasing to the "good and faithful" who were passed over in his favour. Then his_ assertiveness in face of the conditions under which he was appointed to ofiice was not likely to increase his popularity _; and finally the fact that he, with his brief period of public service, should have secured a knighthood—the ambition of so many Liberal democrats — also scored against him. Now to crown it all he wants a seat in the House of Representatives, which means, if he is successful, a further disappointment for some faithful follower who has had his eyes fixed on the next va-. cant portfolio. But what is of most interest at the moment is where the safe seat which Sir Joseph Ward will no doubt choose for his favourite Minister is located. Of course if the new knight _is not looking for a safe seat, but is' prepared to take .a fighting chance, he need not go outside the city of Wellington. Mr. Fletcher as a good Liberal having only the interests of the party in view would no doubt be w-illing to make way for so distinguished and titled a member of the party, and Mr. FisnEß would, \vc feel certain, offer no objection. Or Dr. Izard as a faithful and distinguished supporter of the Ministry could perhaps bo persuaded to make an opening at Wellington North. Mr. Herdman would prove an opponent worthy of the new knight's seat. But in any case there is the second ballot—that wise provision of tho JV'.inistry to safeguard tho interests of Liberal candidates and ensure a straight-out fight and a win only in an .absolute majority of the votes polled. Wellington indeed calls loudly to Sir JonN Findlay—why should he go afield and poach on the preserves of his political friends.