“REFORM AND ITS METHODS"

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9093, 12 July 1915, Page 4

“REFORM AND ITS METHODS"

To the Editor “N.Z. Times.” Sir, —At the conclusion of tho debate upon the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Amendment Bill in Uio Bouse of Representatives on Tuesday last, in tho course of his reply to Die criticism upon tho recent farcical Food Commission. Mr Massey said that “the debate was one of tho stales? l and most unprofitable ho had ever listened to." The “bored to death” attitude which the Prime Minister assumed whilst very serious allcgations wore being made against the Reform Administration, regarding their’ partiality to tha food exploiters and tho incompeteuey of the' individuals selected by the Government to prosecute the inquiry into mercantile exploitation of foodstuffs, is a popular subterfuge of politicians when charged with maladministration, and was undoubtedly dip-; lomatic on Mr Massey’s part in view of , the fact that he established the Coni" mission in question, at much public expense; but by displaying the same lack of interest in its resolutions, as he did, during Tuesday’s debate, absolutely nullified the value to the community, which a competently managed and encouraged Food Commission would otherwise hava been- Now, tho most important evidence and information from the public stand, point which the Commission obtained, was that; given by Mr A. Fairbairn, who made definite charges against pro. mineut merchants of conspiracy to de» fraud and exploit the public. Mr Fairbairn is a merchant himself and greatly respected amongst commercial men throughout New Zealand for his business acumen and integrity, consequently special significance is attached to the extraordinary evidence he gave; and tha public rightly expected that vigorous inquiries would bo instituted by New Zealand’s own, virtuous band of alleged Reformers, who profess to be so solicitous* for the preservation of straightforward principles of public policy. But instead of usefully employing the valuable information which Mr Fairbairn so patriotically offered, remembering that Ha is a conspicuous member of the Merchants’ Association, we find that tho Government entirely ignored it; and aa an indication of the indifference shown, by himself and colleagues, Mr Massey, in the course of Tuesday's debate, said l that the evidence was supposed to ba lost! That is a characteristic attitude of Conservatives tho world over when faced with questions which call for humanitarian sympathy for tho masses. Mr Massay has on innumerable occasions inferentially stated that his own heart and the hearts of all the devotees of Reform bleed for tho working people of this country, hut his absolute want of interest in this vitally important subject concerning tho public welfare, besides demonstrating the inconsistency of tho Premier and bis colleagues, furthermore supplies additional proof of their incapacity to deal in. a competent and statesmanlike manner with the problematical questions which are constantly arising in New Zealand politics. The word Commission is fast becoming in the public mind synonymous with Humbug, and in view of their past costly ahoitiveness that opinion is founded on fact, The public therefore view with alarm the Government's proposal to establish another -Commission to inquire into tha Trentham camp scandal, although it is. obvious that same is necessary. In the course of Tuesday’s debate a deal of comment: was made upon tho lukewarmness of the patriotism of the farming community, and irrefutable statements to that effect were made by Mr G. Witty, member for JUccarton, and many - other members, who were taken:, to task by Mr Massex';'the former gen—'