COMMENTS OF CHRISTCHURCH PAPERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 142, 14 June 1909, Page 8

COMMENTS OF CHRISTCHURCH PAPERS.

MINISTER ADVISED TO RESIGN

[PEOJI OUK COBRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, June 14. Both morning papers severely "handle the Hon. Mr Hogg over Saturday's speech. . The Lyttelton Times, the Ministerial organ, says: Mr Hogg appears to have talked like an irresponsible demagogue seeking notoriety by attacking landowners, capitalists and everyone else who had accumulated a little wealth under the existing economic system. Then he betrayed the depth 'of his own ignorance or tne elements of banking and banking reform, regardless of the fact that his wild ideas might be seriously credited to the Government itself. It is r-ot pleasant to have to condemn a Minister at the outset of his career, but Mr Hogg has left us no alternative. He has angered the whole Liberal party, and it is obvious that his presence in the Ministry must strain the loyalty of sane cautious men, who have no desire to be regarded as^sup--norters of hare-brained, ill-considered schemes. It seems to us that he nlone can repair the damage he has ■done, and that lie can do this all tne speedier by retiring from a position for which he has shown hnnseh so poorly qualified. The Press says : The coarseness and vulgarity of the whole speech will make every decent New Zealander Mush with shame. In common with many other persons, we do not understand how Mr Hogg ever came into the Ministry, especially as he assures us that it'was not owing Jo any solicitation on his part. We shall find it still more difficult to understand if, after his display of party loyalty, good taste and statesmanship •on Saturday, he is retained in his office, especially as the Prime Minister has declared that Mr Hogg's views are not entertained by his colleagues. That statement, which is nothing less than a public rebuke of the Minister, should ensure his resignation.