A CONSERVATIVE VIEW.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12410, 27 November 1908, Page 2

A CONSERVATIVE VIEW.

TRIBUTE TOMRMcNAB

(From our Correspondent )

Cbr.istchnrcb, Nov. 26

Referring editorially to the results of the elections, "The Press" siys: —"The defeat of Sir "William Russell is nothing short of a national calamity, which all but the strongeat partisans of the Government will, we f°el sure, deplore. S> too, although we regard the defeat of Mr AloNab as a manifestation of tbe New Zealanders regard for tbe freehold, wbich must Lave a beneficial effect on the political Jifo of tbo Dominion: yet: on personal grounds we feol that Mr Mr-Nab is a type of man whom we can-ili °pnre from public service. Tuis feeing is strengthened by tho admirable little speech which he delivered in Wellington after bis defeat, with its gtaceful ccnpliinoot to. his successful oppjnpnt. We muy pay that nothing in his (political), .life becanrar him like bis leaving it. We feel sure that bis retirement nil! not be pßtmansnt. We fully expect, and, indued, hope, to see him a^ain in the House, aiid his reappearance will be the' mo re welcome, if,' as may happen, his meditntions during his enforced retreat stould le:id to asunder views on tbe land question. M-anwbile'we aro glad to learn that he intends to carry on with renewed energy those historical researches for which New Zealanders already o*e him a deep debt of giatitude. . ,-. .. . Tbe House iR now differently constituted, arid tbe Opposition Paity, reinvigorated and strengthened by a number of able adherents, will cot only bo able to criticisa tbe legislation and financial proposals of tbo Government - effeotivoly, but to ensure .thoir criticisms shall be treated with, a certain amount of rospect. ■ The strengthening of Parliament as a legislative machine will assist materially in the revival of eoofidenee, and unless we are very much mistaken, will in tb is. way assist- »ri hri ogirig about au improvement in trade. "