TORY “CRITICISM”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8367, 1 March 1913, Page 4

TORY “CRITICISM”

The British, Chancellor of the Exchequer mortally offended the Tories recently by stating, in the course of a speech at Aberdeen, “ I am going to abolish poverty.” This is, as all must admit, rather a tall order, and would sound like a vain boast from an ordinary person. But even his enemies must confess that Mr Lloyd George is far removed from the sphere of the common-place, while others must recognise in this brave and original statesman one with a real mission in life, a new force in politics and sociology whose ambitions are rivalled only by bia energy and capacity.' Hence when a man so earnest and so powerful sets out with the avowed _ intention of abolishing poverty, that is an immediate signal for the grossest abuse from that section of public life which does not include in its traditions or aims any feelings towards the “ lower orders ” except to regard them as legitimate objects of plunder. Mr. Maxse, the well-known “master of invective," sAivea on to an assertion by the Chancellor that if wealth were properly distributed every family in the United Kingdom would have £2OO a year. This seems to have completely shocked the vitriolic editor of the “ National Review," who proceeds to argue that Mr Lloyd Geoige’s standard should be applied first to British Cabinet Ministers. Solemnly he proceeds to set out in imposing tabulated form “ the huge sums a groaning country pays its poutioians for the tragic mismanagement of national business” —Mr Asquith £SOOO, Lord Haldane £IO,OOO, Mr Lloyd George £SOOO, and so on through the whole list. “ What a chance,” says Mr Maxse, “ these munificent sumssquandered upon indifferent administrators, whose chief qualification for office is a gift of the gab—offer Mr Lloyd George to show that for once he means what he says.” Now, we do not intend to present any sort of argument against such criticism. Wo would merely say that this is a Tory answer—and quite a typical one—to the magnificent determination ’of one of the ablest and most courageous men who have ever adorned the Ministerial benches at Westminster. If Mr Lloyd George never abolishes poverty he will undoubtedly reduce it —ho has done that already. But there is one powerful party that will never render the slightest assistance.