LEST WE FORGET.

Northern Advocate, 27 November 1914, Page 4

LEST WE FORGET.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—A s the election battle will soon be on again, perhaps it will be as wen to remind Mr Massey and his ; i usty co!i< :igues of some of their questionable actions and misrepresentations at the last election. As we all l-'icw. the "square deal" was preached by Messrs Massey and Mander, on each and every occasion, until we beg_n to think Mr Massey a paragon of all that wa.s good and great. When the hist c-le.Uon results were made known a lot of Mr Massey's followers sounded the cry "the North has come in for its own." Since then, to judge from results, nothing belonged to us. Among the contemptible methods employed were the issue of the "Black Pamphlet," the "pigeon holes" cry, and others. The result of those contemptible charges has proved them as cowardly as the men who made them; but the "Black Pamphlet" and the "pigeon holes" were only a few of the contemptible things Sir Joseph Ward and his party had to fight There is no need to review the three years of Mr Massey's reign very closely to be able to award them the palm as being the most fickle Government that New Zealand has ever known. Promises were broken, and in many cases facts were twisted and distorted, until one begins to think that some men's word is not their bond. The "Rainbow Minister," Mr Fisher, has proved himself such a juggler and contortionist that • his actions have become quite farcical. A short time ago, when the Royd Garlick scandal was 'before the House, Mr Allen swore that he did not know that Mr Garlick was, a candidate for the position, and 'it was proved that a fortnight or more before the appointment Mr Allen had a letter accepting the'appointment in his possession. This from people who had so much to say about "spoils to the victor." The Government shut theiir eyes to the fact that Mrs Garlick for some time after was carrying on her husband's private business, which was a direct infringement of the rules governing a public servant. Then there is the application from: the Elltirsli. Road Board for a loan of £(10,000. They were told the money was wanted by the department.' The board we're refused on thosa grounds. Three months later the offer was made by a gentleman to get the loan from the Government If they paid him 1 per cent, procuration fee, and thoy had to pay £160—a sample,of the "square deal.'' Ihen thefre is Mr Massey's connection with the celebrated ostrich farm. This farm of 3,500 acres was purchased- from Mr John Steiklaepier for £9,000 .in shares. The Wiaiuku _ ail way, which is being pushed on, increases the value three times over. Mr Massey at one -meeting tbli ___. petople that the railway would not bueflt the ostrich farm, that he only put the money into it to save a dying industry, and that he would be glad'to get it back again. This farm of £9,000 taken out in shares by the original owners, and of which comipany' Mr Massey was a director as well aa' Prime Minister of New Zealand, borrowed £12,500—£3,000 'more than what Was paid for it. The shareholders are: —F. Mander, 4000 shares; W. F. Massey, 2000 shares; W. E. Allison, 500; H. 1. Gorrie, 1000; W. F. Buckland, 1000; John Beatty and Charles Shepherd 4000; the original owners, .father and two sons; 420 shares. Since the railway has passed this notorious ostrich farm, another bill like the Whangarei Borough Council's has been rushed (through, and in future all benefactors who wish to save a dying industry must pay for their own. liast election a great deal was made out of the Parnell contest, Sir John Finday not being a resident. M!r Mandeir is neither a resident nor an ele-tor. His interests are elsewhere. Sauce for the goose should be good enough for the... gander. When the railway to the lime works at Tikorangi wias sanctioned Mr Reed, tmemiber for the Bay, and his friends knew all about it before our member knew. Perhaps Mr Reed wished to save a dying industry. Three y_ars of the "square deal" policy, after next election will by the voice of the people throughout New Zealand be consigned to ohlivic_v with the following as an obituary:— "Weighed in the balance and" found wanting.''— '-I am, ets., , IKB MOORE.