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Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3995, 28 July 1913, Page 4

As wo anticipated would be the ease

Which the Lion and which the Lamb?

there continues to be widespread comment on account of such a

staunch Liberal—and by the way, a very hi" land owner—as Mr Robert McNab having deemed it his duty to send a strong word of encouragement to the Social Democrat candidate, Mr Webb, on the eve of the final tussle for the Grey seat. Some of the Opposition journals have been trying to explain away the incident by declaring that the ex-Minister for Lands only wished to signify that, in his opinion, Mi- Michel should not get the support of the Liberals of Grey, seeing that Mr Webb, if elected, would be more inclined to favor ‘‘true progressive legislation.” In this connection, however, it is pleasing to see that the ‘‘Dunedin Star” has as usual the courage of its convictions on the subject—and these convictions are by no means mild in character. ‘‘lt is,” says the leading Opposition organ of the South, “difficult to understand Mr Robert M'Nab’s encouragement to Mr Webb to ‘go in and win,’ unless wo recognise that hate is a more powerful factor than any other known in human nature—even in cases where high intellect and principle might have been expected to rise superior to the passions of the hour. It is known that our present Defence system was a matter very dear to Mr M'Nab’s heart. It is equally well-known that the Federation of Labor are bitterlv opposed to it, and are ruthless in the methods they employ to undermine it. One could easily quote a list of questions on which Mr M‘Nab, as we remember him before 190 S, was diametrically opposed to the Federation’s declared policy; it is difficult to quote one on which they are in sympathy—except hatred of the Government. Surely it is hardly possible that Mr M'Nab’s attitude results from a feeling that Mr Michel is a political turncoat, a traitor to Liberalism! It is quite true that twice Mr Michel contested a neighboring seat as a Liberal, but it has come to be fairly widely recognised that since then conditions nave greatly altered, although the old nomenclature still holds good; and it is undeniable that over the reversion of the Westland seat Mr Michel had. a grievance in the exercise of a certain Liberal influence against him. The rapid somersault executed by Professor’ Mills during the Unity Congress, by virtue of which he is now Mr Webb’s first lieutenant in the present fight, is as nothing compared with Mr M'Nab’s. And it is more dangerous for Mr M‘Nab to attempt such feats, for he is a much weightier man.” Unquestionably what the “Dunedin Star” says is perfectly true; and in this regard it will be generally recognised that Mr McNab will find it very difficult to satisfactorily explain the incident when he himself next faces the electors—if he should ever think of again trying to re-enter Parliament.