PENCILLINGS FROM PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8210, 4 August 1905, Page 5

PENCILLINGS FROM PARLIAMENT.

Mr Hogg and the new Liberal

Party

A Very Candid Friend

Talk of Cutting the Painter,

(Special to Daily Times.)

Press Gallery, Thursday Night.

Mr Hogg, the member for Masterton, a recent seceder from the party that pays allegiance to Mr Seddon, speaking in the Budget debate, this afternoon, made an interesting reference to the new Liberal Party. I happen, he said, to belong to a band—a

small one it is true—of ardent reformers in this House. It is a party that aspires neither to position nor to wealth. The party, as originally formed, has unfortunately been of a somewhat composite character. Some of its members have undoubted ability, but have proved that they are lacking in one thing that is very necessary, and that is discretion. (Hear! Hear! from the Government benches). However, a plaiform was erected - Mr Lewis : A gallows ! (Laughter). Mr Hogg: Some of the planks in that platform were no doubt of a somewhat doubtful nature, and I was not altogether reconciled to them ; but, on the whole, it was a good, strong, liberal platform. It was a platform of fairly good and sound planks — reform planks, I call them. At the commencement we made a very fair impression. Our first effort was to improve the Old Age Pensions Bill, and we were able, to make an improvement in that, The next ell'ort made by that party was not so fortunate. It was not a party move. There was no meeting of the party, and the party as a whole was never consulted. There might have been two or three members together to formulate the charges brought against the Government, and the Premier in particular ; but I say the better part of that party knew nothing of the matter, and we had no more hand in it than the Premier had himself. Indeed, no members of the House had felt more severely shocked at the action of certain individuals connected with that party than the party themselves. As far as the charges against the Premier and members of his family are concerned, I have had no connection with them whatever (hear, hear), and I believe my colleagues to 'whom I refer —the leading members of the party had no connection with them at all. An lion, member: Better cut the painter then. Mr Hogg: AYe may cut the painter and the party may ,be dissolved, but that will make little difference—the reformers will continue to.wbrk shoulder to shoulder, and I believe they are going to make an impression', if not in this House, in the country The elections are, about to take place, the reformers are well known (ironical Government Hear ! Hear!) and they are going to appeal to the people. There is a new element springing up in New Zealand. The influence may be small in this House; but it is in the country where it is strong and robust at the present time. That feeling is growing bigger and bigger in New Zealand, and as these young men and women emerge from the schools, and become endowed with the franchise, they will make the effect of their presence known. They will fight for the right in connection with the distribution of the land and the distribution of wealth.

Mr Baume: It is not the Reform Party they are going to support,

Mr Hogg : Yes it is. But, so far as lam concerned, I would not be associated with any party that has sullied the sanctity of private life (Hear ! Hear !) I dismiss it at once, But if ■ the party is dissolved the fight for reform, for improved legislation, and more vigorous legislation, is going to continue. AYe having nothing in common with His Majesty's Opposition—

Mr Massey: Thank goodness! (Laughter). Mr Hogg : And we have no intention of injuring the Government; but we will make them do their duty. If not we rely upon the country to make them do it. Young New Zealand is coming to the front [Mr Massey: Not on your side.], and will demand better laws and more prudent administration.