The Wanganui Herald. (Published Daily.) MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1919. "FRUITS" OF REFORM.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15974, 17 November 1919, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald. (Published Daily.) MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1919. "FRUITS" OF REFORM.

Though our worthy contemporary is in a very much disturbed state of mind this morning, it still continues to exhibit that sense of humour which it always gives free exercise when dealing with matters political.* One of its best jokes this morning is in reference to events since 1912. “Since then,” it says, “despite the-inevitable consequences of tbe war, tbe workers have tasted tbe good fruits of Reform administration.”

“It is to smile,” when one recalls some of the “fruits,” say the canteen scandals, the huge sums paid for troopship charters (which would have bought tire vessels several times over), the railway cut, the delay in public works, the rampant profiteering, the tying up of all domestic legislation, the broken promise re proportional representation, the aggregation of land, the housing problem, the continued rise in the cost of living, and, most conspicuous “fruit” of all, the fact that thirty shillings are now required to purchase what could be obtained for twenty when “Reform” took.(office. It is only fair to the Reformers to say that this is a, very much abridged list; the full catalogue of “fruits”, could be shown to be immensely longer had we the time or space to print it. “Good fruits,” indeed 1 Beside these products of Reform the humble apple and plum must hide their diminished heads. They heat the pineapple and banana 'out of sight, and beside them even the mangosteen and the avocado pear would blush to show themselves. Very humorous 1