Evening Post. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1914.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 55, 6 March 1914, Page 6

Evening Post. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1914.

"CORN AND GAMES"

"Mere opportunism is useless ; we mu3t fix the goal in our minds' eye, and steadily work towards it," is a statement in a report of Mr. G. W. Russell's speech to^ his Avon constituents last night. Mr. • Russell, who is better known to the public as a former member for Riccarton than as the representative of Avon, was one of the five commissioner heads of the Opposition body. It was proved memorably that five heads Were not better than one for leadership. The guerrilla army sadly lacked ,a general with any authority and power of persuasion over the irregulars ; and even now, with the return of Sir Joseph Ward to the front of the weakened ranks, the extent of his dominion over the compound cohort is uncertain. Who' knows the exact following? How many have resolved to "stand solid" for Sir Joseph \ During last sesSion Mr. Russell was more mijitant than his chief, and was, indeed, v so prominent in the onsets that the Ministerial press hinted | at designs on the supreme command ; but, of course, this may have been only the craft of party However, Mr. RusselL has reason to regard himself as the chief lieutenant, and his public speeches, on certain occasions, have some importance on that ground alone, if on no other. At Wftjton Sir Joseph Ward was wordy. He did not display any sound political articles of his own,, but contented himself with decrying the) other party's stock. Sir Joseph's plan is, apparently,to shout "shoddy" for a certain time, till public confidence in the other political firm* is destroyed, and then he will open out his precious packs of political merchandise, with delightful bargains for everybody. Mr. Russell admitted as much as that last night. He stated that the Leader had declined to announce a policy at present, "as he considered it imprudent to offer proposals which were likely to be stolen by the enemy, and also because he desired public attention to be concentrated on the failures and shortcomings of the Massey • Government. In this line of action he was supported by the party." What a queer confession lurks in these words ! The opening sentences imply that each party's policy is, before all and above all, to pleaae a majority of the electors, and either will commit petty larceny or large robbery of helpful "lines." Sir Joseph Ward has often' been reminded about his frankness in America, \vhen~according to report, not contradicted, so far as The Post is aware — he said that his policy was to discover what the people wanted and to give it. This is the doctrine of opportunism in politics, and the first axiom is : "Do not lead the people, J btlt be led by the people. Then pretend to be leading them." Mr. Russell and others surely make themselves ridiculous by roaring "Tory" at the Government;, and simultaneously the so-called Liberals apologise for their own political bank' ruptcy by moaning that they are afraid to disclose their Liberal assets of policy lest the "Tories" should steal them ! This pathetic humbug comes from a party which held office for twenty-one years—and now the leaders act like conjurers, with cards of policy secreted, to be suddenly produced in due course in a startling manner. These be the men who aspire to lead the people. Such jugglers with words surely assume a very low degree of intelligence in the democracy, which has had the benefit of at least compulsory primary education for many years. It would not be fair to say that all of Mr. Russell's speech is fustian Btuff, but much of it is very patent electioneering of an elementary order. In the past, especially two years ago— in the last will and testament of the desperate Ward Government— the people have read gome peculiar "humanitarianism" in the reports of Governor's Speeches at the opening of Parliament. Well, Mr. Russell is practising for the delicate task of phrasing vague promises for a future Governor to iccite, gravely. Specimens arc : — "The right of every child to good health and the highest education practicable. "The right of every person to medical and legal assistance? "Tile duties and responsibilities of tho State to assist parents in rearing families and of appropriately providing for the old age of thosu who had done so. "The right of every honouiable and right-living man and woman to a reaeomibls Bh*i'» of tits couilurl md bgpgigwi of life.."

Arc not these sentiments noble? Do tlie^' no!, come with heart-felt emotion ftpm Avon's prospective philanthropist j with the public ptarso anrl miracle- J worker, who will lighten the cost of living by adding to the load? It is the world-old political business of "'corn and games." The Liberal Party is still at the old stand under the Sign of the Spoon.