SIR JOHN FINDLAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7928, 11 October 1911, Page 6

SIR JOHN FINDLAY

The Attorney-General has been called many hard names, and if there are any more left for public use he may expect to have these also applied to him before, ho is much older. So far as wo are aware, however, he has never been accused of being a sluggard. He appears to bo throwing himself into the contest for Pirnell with vigorous determination, and has already addressed two large meetings There are certain noticeable qualities in Sir John Findlay, regarded as a public man—unflagging industry and capacity to invest his public utterances with an interest' extending far beyond the place of their deliverance. Of the latter attribute there have been many proofs, and they have again been added to this week. His speeches at Parnell are attracting attention in every electorate, and while it cannot be expected, that they will bo acceptable to everyone, there are, we apprehend, few people ready to describe them as uninteresting or dull.' Taking, for example, the speech delivered on Monday evening and reported in yesterday’s issue, there are passages which find ready response in the popular mind. Many of the points raised by Sir John Findlay have been the subject of controversy for a generation, and will possibly be in the same position fifty years hence. Such problems as are presented by the.single phrase of “economic justice” cannot bo disposed of in a single day. They go to the very roots of the social structure. But it is a good thing to have men in our midst ready to approach these perplexing problems, anxious to secure to their fellows such measure of economic justice as it may be possible to obtain. Sir John Findlay, while not claiming to speak for the Government on all the subjects he touched upon, certainly indicated directions in which the Ministry may advance without trepidation. In asking for. greater

access to the land the Attorney-General ashed for but the first step towards social justice—for the preliminary movement towards freedom of opportunity. In asking that there should be a sustained effort by the community to “ get down to the causes ” of industrial "Strife he gave sound advice. Before the panacea can replace the palliative in the treatment of human ailment the nature of the malady has to bo understood. So, too, with social illness. “Too often.” he said, “legislation has to take place on assumptions which are little better than gropings in the dark.” The truth of this can no more bo questioned than that legislation is everywhere too often the result of a frantic desire to find the momentary line of least resistance rather than of a resolute grappling "with what is fundamental. That portion of Sir John Findlay's speech in which ho dealt with this phase of the democracy’s activities may profitably be considered by all classes of the community. The moro definite parts of his speeches, with their insistence upon a policy of progress regarding land settlement, taxation, and national development must, however, carry the greater appeal. It is clear that Sir John Findlay is not going to be deterred hy catch-cries or abuse from devoting himself to carrying out a programme which the great hulk of the people approve and experience of the past abundantly justifies. Liberal statesmanship has a long way to go in New Zealand yet, and it will move none the slower for Sir .1 oh.n Findlay’s connection with the Legislature.