The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1935. SIR ALEXANDER HERDMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 183, 7 August 1935, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1935. SIR ALEXANDER HERDMAN

QN the day following- his retirement from the eminence of the Supreme Court Bench, Sir Alexander Herdman made an uncompromising statement condemning the Government and expressing his determination to re-enter the political arena with the avowed object of sweeping .Messrs. Coates and Forbes from office. The action has arrested attention from one end of the Dominion to the other by reason, first, of the singularity of the conduct; second, by the vigour of the utterance; and third, because it comes as a climax to a long period of expectation. Judges who retire from their high office seldom deem it to be desirable to return to the dust and clangour of the political arena. They Wave grown used to the impartial, calm and judicial atmosphere in which their years of usefulness and dignity have been cast, and such an atmosphere is not conducive to the moulding of the belligerent spirit. It is remarkable, indeed, that this spirit should have burst forth with such vigour immediately Sir Alexander Herdman has been released from judicial restraints. There must have been much pent-up fire to cause such a quick emergence at the earliest point of time. It is this pent-up fury that lias caused the learned knight to express himself as he did. Sir Alexander Herdman’s name has been frequently mentioned as the probable leader of the Democrat Party, and therefore, if this proves to be correct, his declaration may be regarded as a leader’s rallying cry to his forces, and that may account for its character. Sir Alexander provides the singular spectacle also of a political Protestant or Apostate, according to the point of view. Has he failed to appreciate a sense of loyalty to his country, ’or to his old party? Should loyalty to the one exclude or override the other? In the first place it must be said that loyalty to the Dominion should override loyalty to the party, for the party is but an instrument for furthering- the interests of the Dominion. It is foolishness for the fisherman to bow down to the net and to worship the seine. In fairness to Sir Alexander then, it must be assumed that he is intent upon serving- the Dominion. Docs he advocate anything new? No, he does not! He denounces (he innovations which have crept into the Government’s programme since he was a responsible Cabinet Minister. In doing so lie lays himself open to the charge of not moving with the times. Is this cjiarge valid?

An active Judge of the Supreme Court is not enjoying- a blessed retirement from the world in some cloistered retreat. He is very much in, and part of, the workaday world. He receives the statutes which are the fruits of the Government's legislative programme; he is called upon to interpret those statutes, and he is required to try issues which arise under them. In fine, then, a Supreme Court Judge is peculiarly fitted to pass judgment, not only upon the legislation as such, but upon its operation in actual practice. Being judicially minded, either inherently, or by training and experience, a Judge is unlikely to form biassed views concerning the value of the legislation passed by Parliament during the period in which he is serving on the Supreme Court Bench. It follows, then, that if on the whole that legislation is good, that the best witness of its virtues should be a Supreme Court Judge. Conversely, if a Supreme Court Judge considers such legislation to be bad, it is not necessarily so, but there is very good reason for enquiring into that legislative programme. A Judge cannot be lightly brushed aside as one who has been out of touch with realities, for the very reverse is the truth. Now Sir. Alexander Herdman has had experience both, in office and in opposition, and he knows of the difficulties which beset the path of the politician. His political experience then should save him from expecting- too much of a Government. Taken altogether, therefore, Sir Alexander Herdman’s qualifications to pass judgment upon the Government’s policy are exceptionally high, and it is useless to blink at the fact. How comes it, then, that he is not an ardent, supporter of the Government'.’ How comes it, which is now more to the point, he is so strongly opposed to the present Government that he has decided to dedicate his declining- years to the task of bringing about the end of the present regime? There appears to be no reason for charging Sir Alexander with personal malice, with vaunting- ambition, nor with being purely a mischievous person; hence it would appear that a responsible critic has arisen who has strong qualifications for being heeded who, instead of praising, condemns the < ioverument. There is a hint in his Auckland speech of a willingness to work with others or to strive by himself, a lone knight, which may carry the colour of a. willingness to bargain with the Democrats, and if he can trade satisfactorily, conclude a bargain, but if not, he will break off negotiations. To-day’s meeting in Wellington will, however, decide whether he or some other public man shall be leader of the new party, lint whether Sir Alexander is chosen leader of the new band of faithfuls or not his denunciation of the Government cannot be ignored. It. may not be valid, but it demands careful consideration and a full answer.

is visiting Auckland and inspecting (be schools, adopts the practice of asking the children to hold up their hands if in favour of a half holiday. Yesterday he visited various grammar schools and found the pupils unanimously favourable to the half-holi-day id<’a. To-day he went to the primarv school at, I’akuranga, but when he took a vote there were only four liny children in the front row who raised their hands, and quickly lowered them on observing that, the older children nad not, raised theirs. The Minister indicated that the school would have to take the half-holiday at a Inter stage.

for ho had pre' iously arranged at the neighbouring school of llowick fur a hail'-hoiiday. The Pakuranga children would have to take their medicine, as it would not be fair not lo give them a holiday when the llowick children would be getting one. He meinioned ll at voting at llowick was not unanimous. One youngster, having looked round, lowered his hand again. The Minister commented: "You should make, up your own mind. I have seen men in Parliament do thuL’’