AT THE TEA TABLE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12102, 12 July 1920, Page 5

AT THE TEA TABLE.

SOME TOPICAL TALKS

“The British political leaders seem to have a proper sense of their duty to the people,” remarked _the Critic. .“Mr Bonar Law has just dashed the hopes of aft anxiotis M.P by informing Ijim that Government will not follow, the Australian and Canadian example of raising politicians’ salaries, with a * free railway pass.” “What will he say,” said the Sage, “when he l§ar s that our politicians also propose to he tax free? I should think he would be aghast at the audacity and wonder what peculiar kind of political plunderer had been developed in the Land of the Maori and Moa. He would regard it as the modern form of the ancient cannibalism, ” , “I have always thought,” said the Cynic, “that 'a man who cannot naainfcain himself has no business to attempt to become a representative of a tree people, for obviously lie is not independent, and his conscience will be the sule safeguard of. the people. If a dependent man has what may be called a good working conscience and therefore well under control,, it would be dangerous to allow him to gaip p position where he has opportunities tor making profit by using his position for the benefit of others ” “If our represeutatlves“are entitled 4 to more pay because their own foolish actions and costly administration have raised the cost of living.” said the Politician, “then why should they not take the physic they have prescribed for workers and employers? Why should they not ask the* Arbitration Court to fix the value of their services?”

“Perhaps,” said the Ovnio, “they fear that the Arbitration Court might sentence them to pay the State'. for the privilege of beiqg allowed to waste time 'and monev while tending to consider legislation, also to pay for losses sustained and inconvenience caused by their shocking errors of administration.” “I notice,” remarked the Otitic, "that Mr McCallum, M.P., hasiintroduced a Bill to provide for State Control of Licenses. His object was revealed by his remark that if hotels were properly controlled he was satisfied that the large majority of the people would vote continuance. This gives the Bill the appearance of being promoted by the Trade, but that is scarcely possible, seeing the influence it cam exercise on most Governments. ” “I don’t like continual tinkering: with the laws,” said the Sage. “In my opinion it would conduce to the peacefof the people and the good". Government of the country if the liquor question was settled for ten*, years at least by legislation to that effect. This would remove from our politics a very disturbing element. There is many a member w«o owes his seat morfi to his attitude on this' question, one way or the other, than to his qualiflcations for the office of: representative. ” “If they are going to give us. any amendment of the licepsine law,”' • said the Politician, “why don’t they play fair? The last poll provided for three issues, one at least of: which should have been taken separately. The elector who was opposed to monopoly had no chanceof registering hi a opinion, for the* issues were only Continuance, State* Control and Prohibition. Many realised that State Control would: give any party in office too much power, of influencing an election. There was only one extreme that coold be voted for. To be absolutely' fair the issues should have been— Continuance, Increase of Licenses, and Prohibition, Then the man who disapproved of monopoly, but 1 - desired improvement in’the conduct of licensed premises, could have* vdted for Increase, while the extremists on each side have re-, corded their opinion.” “It would be better still,” saidthejpynio, “to make the issues Continuance; Increase; and No License. The man who voted for the last . named would know that he was not" necessarily making the use of liquor a crime, though the abuse of it would still be punishable. There would, in fact,- thus be no inter-; ference with the liberty of the subject to use anything in moderation. ” “It ought to be stamped out . altogether!” said the Spinster, “asthey have done, in ‘America. You can’t use it in moderation.” “Speak for yourself, my good. woman, ” said the Cynie. “Most people can. Besides, haven’t you noticed that it is still a burning question in the American election?” “What do you think of the case of® General Dyer, who ordered the Indians to be shot down in the Amritsar riots?” asked the Critic. “I think, ” said the Sage, “that he saved India from another Mutiny. Ail the news from India confirms this opinion. General Dyer has* merely been victimised for political purposes. It is well Known by those who have lived ‘among Indians, that they most be ruled by £tbe strong hand, and that if once they are permitted to insult European women no European’s life is safe. Don’t forget that we hold India by the sword, that for, centuries the people havb known no law but that of force, and that we .have foolishly supplied them with a smattering of education, which has made them the? readier cools of agitators.” - “I believe,” said the Cynic, “that the Empire will yet pay special honour to General Dyer, for the firmness and decisiveness of his. action at a most critical time.” A JAYE PENNE. .