THE PARTY FACTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9043, 14 May 1915, Page 3

THE PARTY FACTION

, To the Editor, “ X.Z. Times.” Sir.—la Saturday’s “Times” I happened to notice a letter written by a Mr 1). H. Lusk which reminds mo of a certain Lord in the Old Country at tile time of the Tariff Reform agitation. Ho was an ardent Tariff Reformer and used to air his views fairly often on the public platform, but his speeches used to reflect so much ou his own party they had to quietly muzzle him. The article Mr Lusk refers to in the “Times" in regard to his damning party politics gave one the impression he was getting tired of the present Legislature, but at the same time it did not give any idea which party he privately supported. His letter says his preference is for the policy advocated by the Government now in office, and that ho has no grievance against thenj. Well, Mr Editor,, from my point of view he is making a greater mws of things (than ever. I can quite understand him damning the party system now X know he is a supporter of the Conservative party. They have been quite satisfied with the system whilst they could obtain the support of so many needy and venal by their influence. Now they see that power waning they damn the system'.

I consider the party systejji.quite equal to any other'method ever been suggested, f think Mr Lusk would have been a little more in touch with commonsenso had he damned, the faction who adopt suen methods we are having to tolerate at the present time. They are enough to make Mr Seddou rise out of his grave. I feel sure the people of this country are beginning to see things as they really stand, and w'ill conclude it is net the party system that is wrpng but methods adopted by a faction who are proving a had. asset to the party system. Before I conclude I would, like to refer to the part of the letter in regard to the landowners and farmers being Conservatives throughout the Empire. As far as the Old Country is concerned I grant him tho landowners who am mostly the lords and dukes, the bulk of them Conservatives, but when ho comes to the farmer I don’t quite agree with him. • ' ■ •. ■ There are. certainly some farmers who still toady to tho landlords, and up to a few years ago there were a great many used to make believe thev were Conservatives. but at tins tamo time were supporting the Liberal party but since the picsent Liberal administration guaranteed obtaining them better security of tenure and increasing the taxes on Jan'J values, thus enforcing',land on to the market, and by-so doing giving the farmer the opportunity'of'obtaining:the freehold, he is- beginning to assert himself and coming out in his true colours.-! am. etc.,’ ' : S. HIGHLLELD. Makotuku. May 10th. 1915.