THE STORMY PETREL.

North Otago Times, 3 December 1910, Page 4

THE STORMY PETREL.

THE MINISTERIAL CONVERT.

(Star's Parliamentary Reporter.) . Wellington, December 1. A good 'deal of curiosity has teen roused by the Leader of the Opposition's declaration, that when his lips are unsealed he will be able to tell a story that will drive tba member for Ohristohurch North out of public life. Whatever lies behind that avowal time alone will tell, but it is capable of proof, that before the New Li'i/arals set out.ontbat famous expedition: that was to shake the House of Sc-ddon to its foundations Mr Taylor was anxious to cast in his lot with the Opposition, and made overtures to that end. Mr Massey was favorably disposed, but the rank aind file of his party were disinclined to accept as a comrade one who is regarded as the stormy petrel of New Zealatod politics, His debating ability was ack/nowledged, but they regarded him as being as slippery as an eel or, as slim as a South African Dutchman. Indeed, a prominent member of the Opposition party was so strongly averse to allowing "Christchurch North" to join them that he told his leader that "the day the member for Christchurch North hangs up Ms 'hat in our Whips' room that day I will leave; you and retire from politics; for the day will ■assuredly come when he will turn round and rend you." The honorable, gentleman who made that statement to me to-day, quite unsolicited, wishes the Government joy, of their new ally, for he is certain that .the time will come when he will prove their undoing as well as his own, Thus the Dominion: "There was a time, early in his public career, when Mr T. E. Taylor really looked like ■being a force in politics. He has has never actually been a force, but he gave promise of rising above the average. Time, however, proved his weakness. His unbalanced judgment, hasty and reckless speech, intolerance of opposition, and bitter personal animosities, have lost him whatever influence he possessed in Parliament. He Is a spent force so far as political influence is concerned} hut his sting is that of a political (scorpion 1 . Ha stings indiscrimjnajtely, and as often as not he himself is the greatest sufferer. No one has done him a 'greater injury than Mr Taylor himself, ami this mainly through attacks on others. For all his years in Parliament he cannot claim a single follower, 'and although still one of the most interesting speakers there he carries no weight with tha House. Yet no one lectures the House with greater assurance or with a higher regard for his own oratory, Everything he touches,politically, fails."