AT MR. MASSEY'S WILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14109, 10 July 1909, Page 6

AT MR. MASSEY'S WILL.

A LIBERAL ON THE GOVERNMENT.

"The practical expulsion of Mr. Hogg from the Ministry snaps the last frail link that bound the genuine Liberals to the present Government," says Mr. A. R. Barclay, an ex-Government member of Parliament in a letter to the Otago Daily Times. "For long now many have held on hoping against hope that they might be deceived in the turn they feared things were taking. But there is now no further room for. any such delusive thought. It is clear beyond question that there is now little to choose between the present Administration and the regime of Mr. Massey. In fact, Mr. Massey might almost as well be Prime Minister. For it is he that dictates the policy of the Government. A Land Bill is brought downa Bill that is an excellent piece of work entirely in accordance with the traditions and views of the Liberal school of politics. The colours are nailed to the. mast. There is to be no surrender. The cry is, "Do or die!" But ! before a shot is fired — before there is even the scent of danger back"'comes the Bill, down come the colours, and a disgraceful surrender of half the measure is pitifully made at Mr. Massey's dictation he sitting with some 14 or 15 followers at most behind him, while the bold Government numbers some 60 odd valiant adherents! Was ever the like heard of? '

"'The State Departments must be placed under the Audit Office,' says Mr. Massey. 'Oh, certainly/ replies Sir Joseph, 'it shall be clone at once.' 'I command retrenchment all round,' says the Leader of the Opposition. ' Why, certainly, sir,' says the humble Government, ' we'll do it forthwith,' And so the 6tory goes on. The dictator commands. The Government obsequiously obeys. Was ever a Government in such a humiliating position? Lacking backbone, lacking firmness, wanting in determination, courage, foresight, and statesmanship, it would appear to consist merely of so many automatons worked at his will by the member for Franklin.

This kaleidoscopic Ministry— ever changing and ever introducing still more and more incongruous elements ; what is there to be hoped from it or what progress can it possibly make? Hopelessly divided in itself on nearly every vital plank of the political platform, what can it do but sit still and do nothing?"