THE H.B. TRIBUNE. FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1912. GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 166, 28 June 1912, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1912. GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

The speech put into the mouth of His Excellency the Governor yesterday was one of the most remarkable examples of empty 7 verbiage experienced here for a long time past. It will take Parliament several days at least to recover from the deluge and at least half a century to deal with the programme outlined. Comparison with Sir Joseph Ward’s masterpiece is hardly possible.. The speeches are of entirely different types. Sir Joseph compressed, a whole magazine full of political fireworks into a very short compass. His successor has covered column after column with platitudinus discourse upon alomst every political topic under the sun. From the spoliation of the squatter to the pensioning of politicians there is a detail of explanation worthy of a historian. Instead of giving the country a simple, straightforward statement of what it is proposed to do, the Ministry has talked at wearisome and confusing length of political generalities. Judging from appearance, the speech is a sort of caucus manufuctured article wherein- every member of the party has been given an opportunity to expound his pet theories. If that is not the case it may safely be held that Ministers have each claimed extensive rights to space for the purpose of reiterating in the orthodox language selected gems from their recent electioneering speeches. At the best of times. the Governor’s Speech is a musty formality which has little bearing upon the politics of the country, and many a thousand pounds of good ■ money is wasted m debate upon the Addi;ess-in-Reply. But when the prolixity of a Premier leaps all bounds and he meanders over countless folios of platitudes the Speech . ceases to be a musty formality and I develops into an atrocity which no ! helpless Parliament should be called i upon to bear. However, we have no I reason to doubt that those among I the people who will take the trouble i to read the Speech will find much in ! it to occupy their attention. The ■ crude spirit of Radicalism which was iso apparent in Sir Joseph Awards : last manifesto has been diluted to a i considerable extent, but Mr. Mac- ; kenzie has evidently provided com- ' pensaticn by making a larger numi ber of promises. There are the usual

promises to tax landholders and make remissions in the Customs so that the “articles in daily use” may be cheapened to the public. Unearned incomes will be taxed and concessions made on the railways. More money is to be spent on workers’ dwellings, land provided for fruit growing, pensions provided for retiring politicians, the Arbitration Act will be amended (presumably to suit the demand of the Red Feds), nurses provided for back-blocks, telephones extended, the way of the Territorial backslider is to be made easier, in fact the list of presents which the Mackenzie Ministry has in stock for delivery to the people is well nigh inexhaustible. What is lacking in quality is undoubtedly made up for in quantity. It is not possible to even review the more important matters touched upon in the brief space of one article, but many features of the Speech demand extended comment. There are, however, a few things in the programme which may r be readily recognised aS in the best interests of the country, and it is to be hoped the efforts of Mr. Mackenzie in this direction will be appreciated. One of the proposals put forward will, at least, receive almost universal approval, and that is the suggested repeal of the .Second Ballot Act. In the disturbed state of politics it is not probable that this measure will go through, but in the interests of the country we sincerely hope that contending parties will agree to provide for preferential voting before any appeal is made to the country. Another important promise is to introduce a Local Government Bill, based upon the recommendations of the recent conference, but it is to be feared the measure will appear in a very emasculated form, and, further, that in the political turmoil foreshadowed it will never have an Opportunity to reach the Statute Book. Even a cursory review of the measures promised is impossible to-day unless we desire to vie with Mr. Mackenzie in the matter of prolixity. Indeed, discussion of the Government proposals is more or less futile, because the indications are that the no-confidence division will make a complete change in the personnel and politics of the administration. Mr. Massey has already given notice of no confidence, and he will certainly have plenty of ground to cover in his criticism. Politics for the next few months promise to be highly interesting and expensive for the people.