"CANNOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS"

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 45, 21 February 1918, Page 8

"CANNOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS"

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—lt was a great pity that Mr. Massey blundered into this constituency. But, having assumed the role of dictator, he ought to have kept in touch with facts, past and present. The electors of Wellington North are intelligent enough to know what part the election of Mr. Luke plays in winning the war—nothing. If . New Zealand ceased to exist to-morrow, the course of the war would not be affected to any appreciable degree. But Mr. Massey cannot have it both ways. If a wondering world is waiting to carry us to victory if Mr. Luke be elected—and to perdition, if he be not—why did Mr. Massey and his colleagues bring on this most fateful decision at this critical moment? It is merely 'the pound of flesh again—spoils to the victors. A National Cabinet "is necessary for our very existence—but we cannot have it unless some additional Ministerial posts are provided for the party politicians. There must be .no weakening of the National Cabinet in this dire crisis—and yet the admittedly strong man of the Cabinet must be given his pound of flesh on the Supreme Court Bench for services rendered to his party* ■ This is called "national unity" ' and "winning the war." What humbug! Can-we as a people hope to be sncceESful in anything if we are not more honest with ourselves? Let every elector free his mind of cant, and seize this opportunity to vote for the man who voices his inmost convictions.—l am, etc., AN ELECTOR,'

20th February.