"GIVE BILL A REST"

NZ Truth, Issue 973, 19 July 1924, Page 3

"GIVE BILL A REST"

Political Place, Power And Pellets

Massey ism's Manners and Mutterings.

"Words and more words, wordiness and mighty little worthiness. This phrase about describes the doing's m the donothing domain of the Dominion's legislation factory during the past fortnight. , The period has been chiefly remarkable for the ease with which the Priminister can be baited and the facility with which he can lose his temper. His predicted Policy Speech was one long abuse of the other side. The 'Priminister had not taken to heart the advice of "Truth" Abuse was not Argument. Yet "there is no more regular reader of this paper than Mr. Massey. Another, feature of the debate m its early stage was the silence of the Pale Pink Party. But Mr. Holland sbon discovered that it was the Libs who were having it all their' way. The Leader of the Pale Pinks had to call a hurried council of action, at which he made no bones of the fact that the honors of the debate were going- so heavily with Mr.^Wilford's forces that, m order to distract the attention of the country the P.P.'s must get into it*'. : '"■ ' • By the way, it is about time to drop the acid on those Pale Pink *Uns who are:* fbr 6ver and ever declaring the affinity of the Libs for the Refs. ..-.-, What about those who are not yet' Pale Pinks who are closer to an alliance with the Lib -Labs than anyone has yet mentioned? If Mr. Massey's bluff was called tomorrow and an appeal to the country was decided upon, there are at least three of Mr. Holland's so-called united arid happy party that would declare to fight under the Liberal banner. Their misleaders are swatting up the past political practices and policies of George Grey, Robert Stout, John Ballarice, Richard Seddon, and even the speeches of Thomas Wilford that resulted m the re-birth of the Lib -Lab Party. ' , If it were not so, 'would the P.P.F. individually be so bitter m their efforts to confuse the Lib-Labs with the Refs? Not at all. .*■'-." Some people are saying Mr. Wilford has become too dignified for a Leader of the Opposition. It is Mr. Massey who ha's reversed positions,, and unleashes his tongue as ho man with the right sense of his leadership of the House should do. But he thinks that if he can accomplish the baker's dozen years as Priminlster that fell to the lot of Richard Seddon his cup 6f achievement will be so full arid overflowing that he would then be content to retire with the laurels of a record , breaker full upon him. But would he? It takes a very great man to recognise when , the people have turned, their attention from him and are looking around for >his successor. It is clajmed by some investigator of history that his record of retiring ln the full glory of 'va: career is held by only one statesman, and that was long ago. *"-,' ."■;■. v '- '."' Mri Massey, probably thinking similar thoughts, has himself made it known"" that he will never get out— he -will. have to be thrust out. Mr. Seddon died m harness, with his honors fo.U upon him. As "Truth'-* has said previously, Mr. Seddon was never hupibled on the floor of the house, as Mr. Massey is every' week, ;by depending upon opponents to keep him m power. '•Mr-. Seddon's political record is unique the world over— he came baqjc from elections stronger than ever, and always with plenty of surplus supporters. His was no minority rule m Parliament. . -;*r : But Mr. Ma'ssey and the Refs never breathed easily when the division bell rang all the way dowii -t-he-ddzen years of their regime. Of a truth, the Refs and their misleader protest too much" anent the loyalty of one towards the other. They do not know what is m his mind, for he never opens either that or his heart to his caucus. He does not seena to know pf the cabals against him within his own party. That circular was an eye-opener with regard to the formation of- a National Party. Alas (for the pettiness of politicians. W. F. Massey seemingly would rather ruin our chances of good and payable trade m the Near East than help it — all because Mr." Wilford, who has been over the ground, advocates an Active policy. W.F. would h ave spent thousands of pounds and sent six agents over if a Ref had' discovered this market Further, and of t,hls there is no manner of .jdoubt whatever, the said W.F.M. would rather let the country that has done him so proud go back and risk its passing into the hands of a party of experimenters than ally himself with the brains and debating power on the other side of the House. Can the petty politician go to further limits? ' The real patriot sings: "My Country, 'tis of Thee!" The Priminister of New Zealand yells: "My Country— what of Me!"

Isn't it time Priminlster Massey had a rest?V: