HONOURING MR. W. F. MASSEY Politics and Compliments.

Free Lance, Volume X, Issue 468, 28 August 1909, Page 6

HONOURING MR. W. F. MASSEY Politics and Compliments.

IN the strenuous strife of politics it is customary to both give and take hard knocks That, however, need not unfit the combatants in the contest of measures and the war for place and power from paying tribute in the interludes of the struggle to sterling personal worth on whatever side it may be found. The Opposition gatheiing held in Auckland on Friday evening last to lend due eclat to the public presentation of a colonial testimonial to Mr W. F. Massey, (Leader of the Opposition), is a notable case in point The testimonial to Mr. Massey took the substantial form of a cheque for a thousand guineas and a grandfather's clock- — does this mean that he will be a grandfather befoie his time to rule arrives 9 — and it was accompanied by a graceful lecognition of Mrs Massey 's sei vices a gold and diamond bracelet and a set of solid table silver. • • a Although some of the speakers were not able to detach themselves from party tactics, it was made manifest that the tribute was by no means restricted to party. As a matter of fact, it has been heartily supported and contributed to by very many people who belong to the Government side in politics. Let us hope the day may never dawn for New Zealand when personal rancour will lower the contest of principles in Parliament to the level of a vulgar melee Let the chivalrous spirit of knight errantry be encouraged by both sides recognising that the supreme ob]ective is not party or personal advantage so much as the national w r eal • • • No man who is true to this spirit will refuse to pay generous homage to Mi. Massey 's personal qualities and his high integrity as a public man. Thiough many yeais of adverse foi tunes he has led the foilorn hope of the Parliamentary Opposition with unshrinking courage, and now that inciease of numbeis has given him qieatei hope we do not blame him 01 his coad]utois foi indulging m the pleasuies ot a livelier imagination For the people at large it is gratifying to know that the leadeis on both sides aie men of outstanding abiht's and genial disposition, and that they aie united in then /eal foi New Zealand and then fideht\ to the Empire • • » One 01 two notes in the speeches invite a passing lemark The Chaiiman (Mr. F. W Lang, M P.) made allusion to the Canadian plan of paying a salaiy to the Leadei of the Opposition Well, why not also in New Zealand ? He discharges a public duty by acting as cutic-in-chief of the Administration, and in order to fit himself for that duty

must necessarily be put to much expense to which the ordinary member is not subject. Yes, the case for a fixed salary for this office has much to recommend it • • • Another note makes discord in the Opposition chorus The Leader's staunch lieutenant (Mr. W. H. Herries, M P ) said " Compromise was a word Mr Massey's vocabulary did not contain. Mr. Massey called for the freehold, and nothing but the freehold, and had nailed the colours of freehold to the mast " But that doesn't harmonise at all with Mr. Massey's own remarks about the necssity for opening up the Crown and Native lands on the optional tenure." However, that may, pass along with Mr. Fishei's pet little joke about " shandygaff legislation " which has grown stale since he first used it. The main thing is that we can all rise good-naturedly above party and join heartily in the chorus to Mr Massey " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow "