“THE GAME IS NOT FOR ME”

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXV, Issue 5609, 27 February 1918, Page 2

“THE GAME IS NOT FOR ME”

SUGGESTED CANDIDATE REFUSES TO * TOUCH POLITICS A gentleman whose name was mentioned in the early stages of the selection of a candidate to represent Wellington North in the interests of Reform and a supporter of the National Government (he having hitherto been a supporter of Mr Hardman and the Reform party) sent the foil wing letter to a friend who had noticed from the newspapers that ho had been named as a possible candidate for the seat : “ I have a sort of feeling of inward amusement when contemplating the idea of my name being used in connection with politics. I fear the game is not for me. I have a too great a contempt for it,' and for most of those who take a forward hand in it. My views are so pronounced, and lam so determined as regards my opinions, that as a politician and a Parliamentarian I fear I should prove a rank failure. “ When one thinks of the rotten. nesß and utter hollowness of Parliamentary Government as we find it in this country (to say nothing of other Dominions) it is enough to engender a feeling of despair. “ Take our so-called National Government: Few, I imagine, would think of supporting it as at present constituted, were it not that tho exigencies of the moment demand that some semblance oE power must be maintained. “ What do we fiad when resolute upright action is required ? Nothing but expediency, weakness and compromise ; everything approached with an eye to votes and retention of place and power, plus emoluments of course. There is no getting away from that. There is no snch thing manifest as a firm resolve to do what is right for the sake of light, and the encouragement of respect for law and order—the keystone of permanently prosper, ous communities. “ Would you care to take part iu such a game to be as “ the voice of one crying in the wilderness.’’