TO FIGHT OR NOT TO FIGHT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2744, 17 October 1906, Page 16

TO FIGHT OR NOT TO FIGHT.

I In view of th^ premature demise of the , bill the following prophetic lines with which I Mr Thomas Mackenzie intended to begin | his speech in the debate to-night will be read with more than ordinary interest : — ' I To fight, or not to' fight, that is the ques- | j tion : — Whether 'tis wiser that my party bear ' The jeers and scoffings of the freehold band ; | t Or to stajid bravely 'gainst their withering | onslaught, And by opposing beat them? To vote — to i win — | I No more, — and by a vote to say we end The torture and the thousand natural fears | i That we are heirs to, — 'tis a consummation j ' Devoutly to be wished. To vote, — to win, — ' To win! perchance to fail; — ay, there's the rub; * ••>■ -/ '- „ ... jr .*,' i For in that dread, event what I- \' When we are left jfi^ thin minority, r ilntiifnvfi no pajuse;." there's the regpect ! Ths^^Sjljies calamity of party .iifei'^.> 4v.-^»4 v.-^»- ,a . I For -ww-JtioulA bear Will s ' t-mniing" ' ,j-Cha, j -Chaf leifs cynic chuckle, country's- contumely/"' A^Pfee 'pangs of sore" defeat, the law's delay, ' " ( " * Conservative* in office, -and the jjpjirns ,f That fallen power from parasites must take { j When I myself can calm commotion's roar | With my known talent? Who would office ) j bear, To toil and legislate for thankless men ; i But that the fear of Tories gaining power— J Those owl-tongued peace-di3turbers from J whose throats - * i No sound but hate can come,— puzzles the j will; , j And makes us bear content the ill we have, j I Than risk the presence of a Jingo curse 9 1 Thus consequence makes cowards of us all ; ! And thus my native hue of resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought; And my pet project of the Leasehold Bill, With this regard. it« current fails to take, Let Massey take his action !