THE OPPOSITION'S RETORT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15920, 4 May 1912, Page 10

THE OPPOSITION'S RETORT.

It is a pity that Mr Massey was unable to "reply" to the recent utterances of Ministers for himself, and that he was compelled to select as his substitute such a very impetuous gentleman as Mr F. W. Lang. The member for Manukau was evidently angry, Very angry, when he was interviewed by a representative of the "New Zealand Herald" yesterday, and probably he will bo sorry for what ho said when he reads the report of his remarks this morning. Mere abuse and scolding, particularly when they are abuso and scolding that have been heard many times before, can help no political party, and really it is difficult to find anything else in Mr Lang's tirade against the Government. The petulant complaint that tho Prime

Minister has not "corrected the impression that ho is a farmer" is quit© in the Opp°siti° n ' s Dcst s^e - It is safe to say that Mr Mackenzie knows a great deal more about farming in allots branches than Mr Lang does, and the fact that he does not hold so many acres as somo of his political opponents do will scarcely weigh to his disadvantage with the electors. We all know, of course, that Mr Buchanan and Mr George Hunter and Mr R. H. Rhodes are farmers, but we have never heard it seriously contended that their claims upon the confidence of the " small" man who wants to get on tho laud are enhanced by reason of their large holdings. As a matter of fact, Mr Mackenzie is still very closely identified with the rural industries of the country, and his association with commercial pursuits scarcely lessens his efficiency as a politician. Mr Lang's other serious complaint against the Prime Minister is that he is holding office "by virtue of the support of two men wlio had promised to vote" with the Opposition. If ho has any griovanco on this score, it is clearly against Mr Robertson and Mr Payne, not against Mr Mackenzie, but the Labour members have explained much oftener than was at all necessary that their promise was to vote against the Ward Government, not to vote with tho Opposition. The Ward Government disappeared with the accession of Mr Mackenzie, and whatever may be said of their attitude during the short session it is clear that they are now free to support the leader they think most likely to assist the aims of their party. But if his failure to proclaim the nature of his occupation and his acceptance of the votes of the Labour members are tho worst offences that \ can be urged against the Minister his political record must bt> a singularly happy one.