The Waimate Advertiser. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1916. MR CRAIGIE’S TRUE WORD.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XVIIII, Issue 369, 12 August 1916, Page 2

The Waimate Advertiser. PUBLISHED DAILY.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1916. MR CRAIGIE’S TRUE WORD.

“ Multum in Parvo.

‘•W© think a great deal of ourselves up herb, hut the people are not bothering about us,” laconically observed Mr Craigie, member for Timariv, a day or two before tho prorogation of Parliament. His fel-low-legislators (many of whom think no small potatoes of themselves and their public significance) might possibly disapprove of this depreciatory candour; but on the whole we think that it reflects tho opinion of the majority of the public. The electors have not been bothering much about Parliament, and the suspension of the sittings will make precious little* difference to the community. W.a are not denying that some good work was done during the recent session, though wo are inclined to think that it might have been accomplished in half the time. The best thing done was the Military Service Act; the worst was the authorisation of the payment of quit 0 unnecessary war bonuses to already woll-i enumerated civil servants. B v the way, Mr Craigie was .speaking on thc ; Bill providing for the postponement of the parliamentary and licensing polls, ordinarily due at the end of next v ear. There is a good deal to |ie said on both sides of this controverted question, but wo lean to the opinion that the opponents of the postponement have the best of the argument.. The decision of the matter might well have been left over till next session, when the war may be over. Mr Craigie spoke very much to the point in referring to tho lie easing poll. ‘‘The licensees’ contract was for three years, -and a great deal was made the other day about that contract being carried out when the question of a E & ferendum was raised in connection with the. liquor traffic. If it is good for the trade to have secured to them three years’ contract, it also holds good tho other way. The people should have the opportunity of voting at the Usual time on the question whether the Trade is to continue. The war shoqld not be made a pretext, for tho waiviujP*of democratic rights.