"STOLEN PLUMES."

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13479, 26 July 1912, Page 7

"STOLEN PLUMES."

Under this heading Christchurch "Spectator," which through Mr. G. W. Russell got "behind the scenes" in regard to what transpired in the Mackenzie Cabinet, says:—"The Conservative party are already up to the- old trick of stealing the plumes of the Liberals. Two instances occurred within three days of their taking office. The first was with reference to the Customs Department. It was announced with much flourish of trumpets that Mr. Fisher had recommended Cabinet to appoint an officer in London to watch the interests of the Dominion in order that the Customs Department might not be robbed. Similar officers aro already in existence on behalf of tho Australian Commonwealth. Judging by the reports sent out by the Tory Press the onlooker would imagine—as it was intended he should—that within fort; -eight hours of taking office this scheme had evolved from the brain of the new Minister for Customs. The simple- fact is that the scheme was evolved by the Mackenzie Government and was all ready for passing, but as a matter of constitutional practice was held over for the new Government to deal with when the no-confidence debate started. Tho papers were before Cabinet for at least a fortnight before tho Mackenzie Government went out, but under such circumstances it is not considered to be 'playing the game' to give effect to proposals which a possible new Cabinet may disagree with. Probably at least fifty similar proposals wore ready for acceptance by Cabinet, but were held over as a matter of honour, and it is ridiculous for the new Government to take tho credit for these new proposals, all of which emanated from the outgoing Ministry. The other case refers to the purchase of the Sherrenden estate of 8000 acres in Hawke's Bay. Mr. Massey is being boomed as a heaven-born Liberal because he has agreed to the purchase of this block under the1 Lands for Settlement Act. As a matter of fact ho has had nothing to do with it except to sign his name. All. the preliminary inquiries, examination of the land, treatment with the owners, etc., had been done before he came on the scone. The one thing to his credit is that he could have blocked it, and didn't. But as he is now a i professed advocate of land settlement, he must make some show; and has therefore completed one of the purchases which the Mackenzie Government had carried through right up to the last step. But Mr. Massey will have to do a good deal more- than this to prove his sincerity as a genuine advocate of the breaking up of the large estates."