PARTY POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20111, 23 November 1928, Page 16

PARTY POLITICS.

Sir, —Tlu' toriu " twister " is applied to .1 person who is not straight, and is nil opprobrious appellation. Tho New Supremo Webster Dictionary recognises it as a slang equivalent for " a liar." To hurl this epithet at persons who have changed from one political pally to another, because of such change, as is commonly done in political meetings, is quite wrong. And Mr. Herbert Mason, M.A., is unquestionably right in the protest he makes on this matter, as Mr. John tuiiuiven should admit. As one who. three years ago, voted for Miss Melville, and who, this year, voted for Mr. Slallwortliv, 1 offer apologies to nobody. Like " Brown," " I am not a strong party man." lam married to no party. '1 he most intelligent citizens, by refusing to be. enslaved to anv party, hold the. balance of power over all parties, and are thus alile to place their votes where they will be most effective. When "Brown" has indulged in more " reflections " he will realiso that " the people who change round from party to party " cannot he separated from " tho body of voters whose combined opinion places the members in their seals." Any and every party, which affects (o ignoio or belittle the electors who judgo the various narties by their fruits, ii bound to come to the grief it, deserves No honourable elector can bo expected to continue to support a candidate or party regardless of that candidate's or parly's conduct. Men and parties returned to Parliament or the Treasury benches are. on trial, and must make good if they aro to have our continued suffrage. Political Freethinker.