A MERCIFUL PREMIER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 6

A MERCIFUL PREMIER

If we are to believe the squatters’ organ, the Hon. AV. F. Massey has given tho country an extraordinary example of magnanimity and high mindedness. Though Mr Atmore was absent at Stratford when the City of Nelson Loans Conversion and Empowering Bill, which is of importance to his constituents, came on for consideranon, Mr Massey, we are told, “consented” to allow tho bill to go through its stages without opposition. He did not employ his majority to kill it. This is quoted by the squatters’ organ as an example of Mr Massey’s “generosity” to his political opponent. It does not appear to us, however, that there is anything very magnanimous in the matter. Surely it would be a gross insult to Air Massey to suggest that, merely because Mr Atmore happened to bo absent from the House, ho could •ppssibly be capable of anything so mean and despicable as to penalise his opponent by employing his majority to block or destroy a .bill of importance to tho people of Nelson. Such a proceeding would bo regarded by any honourable politician, and more especially by a leader of the Government, us beneath contempt. Mr Massey’s most bitter enemy would never suggest against him that he would descend to such a wretched device to penalise an opponent. Nevertheless, it has remained for his official organ, which is. never an exemplar in the matter of good taste, to invite tho people to admire his generous magnanimity because he did not do this miserable thing. Mr Alassey has reason in exclaiming, “Save me from my friends, ’ to blush for the scandalous implication conveyed in this special pleading of his journalistic advocate. There may bo, unnecessary warmth and bitterness in-, troduced into our party politics, but we have not descended so low as to employ the methods of the House and the strength of a majority to defeat a, measure to which there was no opposition for no better purpose than to get' even with a political opponent. AAo are sure that Mr Alassey recognises this,

fact, and that he seeks no credit for generosity because he did not seize the opportunity to kill the Nelson hill while Mr "Atmore’s back was turned. As a matter of fact, Mr Atmore took the precaution to leave the measure in the capable hands of Mr McCailnm, and. in reiving upon the honour of his opponents and the House, lie was warranted in the conviction that the interests of the Nelson people w'ero thoroughly safeguarded.