HONORABLE PARENTAGE

NZ Truth, Issue 755, 6 December 1919, Page 4

HONORABLE PARENTAGE

" Mac " of the Bay of Plenty The news that the Hon. WL D. S. Mac Donald is to be opposed m the Bay of Plenty electorate by Mr. K. S. Williams, who is standing as an Independent Reformer, is one of the incidents of public life which causes many to ponder. Each man is a sport m every sense of the word. K.S.W. is the owner of Vagabond, the New Zealand Cup winner, while the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald is the owner of other racing gee-gees. While "MAG" IS A LIBERAL, and perhaps the most popular member of the party, K.S.W. is a "Deformer," not actually tied to Massey-AUenism, but utterly and entirely opposed to Liberalism, and consequently will fight, ana apologise for lighting, though cleanly, such an honorable opponent. This is another electorate 1 where the intervention of a Labor candidate might endanger a Liberal seat, and the dereat of "Mac" In such circumstances would be a calamity, and a ■great loss to New Zealand's public lite. ; Kecently, an electioneering pamphlet spoKe of the Hon. W\ D. S. MacDonaia as one who had risen from the ranks. Now, men can rise to positions of eminence, and yet not be of common stocK. A. correspondent to "Truth" writes: "Although It does not always follow that good birth makes for the besl m man or woman unless they have tue true essentials of manliness or womanhood, still it is a fact that we expect a higher standard of mental and physical ability from those who are the decendants of a noble race. Now Mr. Mac Donald, by birth, can stand amongst the highest m our Empire. His grandfather, Major Mac Donald, of Vallay and Glendale, reduced himself and family to poverty to feed his starving tenantry during THE TERRIBLE FAMINE IN THE HIGHLANDS. This distress lasted over seven years, and the strain was so severe that many Highland gentlemen lost their all for the same reason. His cousin and chief, Lord Mac Donald, became almost a bankrupt, because he had not the heart to turn his people adrift as so many did, forcing them away to die m Canada, of starvation and misery. Mr. Mac Donald's father (on his father's death) went to Australia, leaving the home where his family lived for generations, and where traditions of their chivalry and generosity still linger. Though he did not accumulate wealth m the colonies he reared a large family and had ever an open hand for those m need; being beloved by all who knew him, a gentle, quiet soul whose whole life was devoted to others. Mr. Mac Donald's mother, only child of Captain Grant, R.N... was a worthy helpmate, through all the vicissitudes of their early lire. She was a wonderful woman who carried to the end the heart of a child, full of love and faith In all humanity. So with such parents Mr. MacoDnald can hardly claim to be unique. His uncle and namesake, who went out as a cadet m the Hudson Bay Company was early chosen to represent his adopted country Jn Parliament. Hp represented British Columbia as member and senator for 55 years." Honorable parentage is always wortny of respect, nnd the Hon, W. D. S. Mac Donald should have nothing to fear on the score that its possession will militate* against him m THE FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY. Workers 'in the Bay' of Plenty electorate should carefully consider whether a vote cast for a Labor candidate is not a vote wasted, a vote -against a good, honorable man, and a vote for one, who, equally honorable, is politically on the wrong side of the fence.