A PLAIN, BLUNT MAN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15862, 27 February 1912, Page 6

A PLAIN, BLUNT MAN.

Me Massey is being done rather less than justice by his political friends. They toll us that the leader of the Opposition is “totally deficient in political subtlety and finesse.” He is a “plain, blunt man,” they add in tones that are almost apologetic, and ho “ has not acquired the fine art of. judicious suppression.” He just “ speaks out what is on his mind.” But really Mr Massey does not require tho protection of a plea of political innocence. He is an experienced parliamentarian and he has shown himself very well able to guard against the troubles that beset the unsophisticated politician. Tho debate in the House of Representatives on Friday supplied a ease in point. Mr Massey based his suggestions of impropriety upon a letter, which ho was pressed by his opponents to produce. The document that lie laid upon the table proved to be a copy of a portion of the original letter, with the names and signature! omitted. Naturally Mr Payne and Sir Joseph Ward were anxious to secure something more tangible, and if the real letter had been in tho chamber the Speaker might have ruled that it ‘ must be produced. Hut Mr Massey had

foreseen this- possibility and he was able to tell tho House that ho had “taken care to come with a copy only.” If Mr Rayne had not proceeded to put all the facts before his. brother members at once we should still have been in ignorance of the missing names and presumably should not havo had the explanations that enabled Mr Massey to withdraw his allegations last night Mr Massey, wo feel sure, took the course throughout that seemed to him to be fair and in tho best interests of his party, but he cannot properly be said to havo shown any lack of political subtlety nor any ignorance of tho fine art of judicious suppression.