THOSE CHICKENS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 1914, 7 September 1921, Page 4

THOSE CHICKENS.

The Dannevirke "News," which, incidentally, is edited by a Reform member of Parliament, is seriously disturbed because the "Manawatu Times" has told some plain home truths concerning the condition in which New Zealand finds itself through the policy of drift and indifference, and the lack of business capacity displayed by the Reform Government. Our contemporary admits practically the whole of the impeachment, but endeavours to absolve Mr Masscy of all responsibility. For instance, in regard to our statement that "State services arc being run at a tremendous loss," tho "News" says: "It should never bo forgotten that Mr Masscy and his colleagues shouldered the heavy burden, that was abruptly thrown down by tho Liberal members of the National Government. This included a heavy legacy of undischarged obligations." Tho Dannovirko paper should be aware of the fact that nobody asked Mr Masscy to shoulder the burden of hundreds of civil servants whoso services could be dispensed with. Nobody asked him to bear the burden of increased Stato Departments. He and his colleagues accepted these obligations of their own volution. ' They cannot relieve themselves by endeavouring to cast the responsibility upon the National Government, for they held a dominating influence in that Government. The "News" states quite sincerely that "Reform Ministers are remarkably capable business men." Well, that is a matter of opinion. Wo shall be excused if we, with one or two others, beg to differ. Lawyers, farmers, and schoolmasters are not always remarkable for their business sagacity.