NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1304, 6 December 1911, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

It will be remembered that Sir J. G. Ward and Sir John Findlay, in their perturbation at the political revolution in Canada, where a Continuous "Liberal" Government was hurled from office after 15 years' rule, tried to assure the New Zealand public that the explanation was a weakening of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's Imperialism and a consequent rising of Imperialist feeling against him. . The Prime Minister also endeavoured to hint that- he himself, being a superfine Imperialist, would score an unprecedented triumph! The English mail brings us the report of the first public speech delivered in England by Eari, Grey after his retirement from the Goveruor-Gencr.ilship of Canada. This was on October 24 at a dinner given to him by the -Royal Colonial Institute. "Sir Wilfrid Laurier," he said, "is animatecLby no anncxationist sentiment in advocating the policy which was defeated at the polls!" On the contrary, "he was fully persuaded that his policy, if adopted, would strengthen both Canada and the Crown." The declaration of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Earl Grey added, "that the Empire might count on the last dollar and the last drop of blood in the Dominion should be'sufficient .16 set any unfounded apprehension at rest." We find no difficulty, and nobody else will find any, in fancying that Earl Grey knows more about Canada and Sir Wilfrid Laurier than Sik Joseph Ward and Sir John Fixdlay, even although they did breathe the air of Canada for five, minutes or so. To be consistent the Peime Minister will have ;lo say that the great revulsion of feeling that will he manifested on election day is due to the growth of a deplorable hostility to him and the Empire.

As we have often remarked, it is an excellent thing that there are so many clumsy and foolish men in the ranks of the "Liberal" army. They "give away" the Government so delightfully. What is the use of the Prime Minister laying his hand on his heart and declaring that the Government is shocked at the_ suggestion that its policy is "spoils to the victors" when Mn. It. M'Kekzie frankly tells the Opunake people not to return Opposition candidates if they want their railway ? When Mr. James Coi.viN", as was recorded in a paragraph in yesterday's paper, bluntly confesses to the doctrine that in his public capacity he, would discriminate in favour of his friends'? Here , is the dialogue, as reported in tl)3 Charleston Herald :

Mr. Grorgivl'owolJ, who had.taken notes of Mr. CnlvinV s-necch, said ho thought Mr. Colvin could not. have meant what he said, aud read what he had taken down iii regard to the father-cum-son-in-lnw incident. Mr. Colvin said he meant what he said. Mr. George Powell: Do you mean to say, in your public capacity, you would bo so grossly unfair as to distinguish between supporters and opponents? Mr. Colvin: I nlways stick to my friends. He's no man that does not.

Sir. Powell: You are unfit for your job. In the West Coast of the. South Island, obviously, the "Liberals" arc honest enough, or stupid enough, to admit their belief in the "spoils to the victors" policy. Perhaps they even honestly wonder why their chief will not admit what seems to them quite an honest policy. In the Grey liivcr Argus of Thursday last there is quite the most extraordinary and shameless exposure of the Tammany method of the Government that we have seen. Under the licadings: A Promise Fulfilled (By Arrangement) New Government Buildings, Hokitika Micro is reproduced a drawing of the front elevation 'of the building referred to. Underneath, in bold'type, is the line "What Ton Seddox 'can do for Hokitika." The Argus is a violent supporter of Mr. Seddox. "A Promise Fulfilled. (By arrangement)" ! Is any comment required ' We think not. Of course Mi:. Colvix and Mn. Seddox and their friends have, only admitted what their leader denies, but what everyone knows is a fact—namely, that the Government runs the country _ merely as a rich farm for its "Liberal" friends to fatten on at the expense of the common people outside the "Liberal" ranks.

Those of us who are outside, the pale of "Liberalism" must really be pardoned to-day if we feel a little amused at Mb. Luke's unexpected statement regarding the Government last night. He stated that about a fortnight ago he was asked by Sir Joseph Ward to stand down in favour of "another candidate" (Mr. Fitzgerald) and "indignantly" refused. ■ As we heard the story, also about a fortnight ago, from a source that imposed confidence, the further suggestion was made that Mn. Luke would receive the Government's support, for whatever it was worth, against Mr. Wright. But Mn. Luke preferred his chance against Mr. Bell to his chance against Mr. Wright, and, as he says, he indignantly repudiated the offer. Yet all this time Mr. Luke, who suddenly says Sir Joseph Ward is clogging prosperity, has not said anything, until now, to disturb the belief of the public that he would vote with the Prime Minister on a no-confi-dence motion. He now declares that he will, if elected, vote to throw the present Government out o£ office. That is something to Mn. Luke's credit, but we are sure thatch is bid of bis for support from the friends of Ho form would have been less likely to fall flat had it not come on the first night after the big Reform demonstration in the Town Hall.' We are afraid that Mr. Luke has been too late in making his discovery concerning the Ward Administration —too late altogether.

Dr.. Izard, at his meeting last evening, made complaint that on two occasions The Dominion had put in ■wrong advertisements for his meetings and that on one occasion he had been misrepresented, though he admitted a correction had been promptly made. He considered that he had suffered , through these errors. Wo are not quite clear whether or .;iot Dβ. Izabu wished to convey the

impression that the errors in question wen: intentional and were made to damage his chances of election. We, do not think he would suggest this, and in fact he professed himself satisfied with the explanation given by the advertising department as to the cause of the errors, though naturally he was much annoyed. We should imagine that it is fairly well known now that The Dominion may fight hard when occasion calls, but it fights in the open. If the cause jt advocates cannot be won by fair means and on its merits then it is prepared to face defeat with a good grace. Dit. Izard has been fighting hard and has never missed an occasion to aim a blow at The Dominion and the Reform it stands for. We do not blame him in the least. He is pledged to maintain in office an Administration that is prejudicial to the country's welfare, and in consequence we hone to see him well beaten at to-morrow's poll. But we are not going to help him or anyone else on the road to defeat by intentionally misrepresenting him, and we should be sorry to think he believed the paper capable of such conduct. Indeed we believe, he does not.