THE CLUBMAN.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1161, 11 July 1912, Page 4

THE CLUBMAN.

After twenty-two years of varying fortunes, the Liberal standard has been lowered. But what : a different emblem John Ballance heroically died defending and the chequered, patched and tattered bit of bunting that fell into the hands of William Massey’s followers last we'ek. All that remained of the old standard was the faintly decipherable word “Liberalism” interwoven along the salvage. * * * In many respects the relic has a •curious history. Originally it was a sky blue, and was the talisman that led men to hope tne salvation of their young and beautiful country would prove a veritable Arcadia for yeoman followers, while the land would be studded with smiling homesteads. John Ballance died before nis dream could be realised. Next a personal feud arose over the leadership of the Liberal stalwarts. Seddon ousted (Stout and be came the 'standard-oearer. Soon the rank and Ale began to regard the" new leader with misgiving, because he arst started out by placing in the very centre of ; the azure bunting three gilded circles arranged triangularly, alter the /manner of a pawnbroker’s sign. This brought golu to the land but it was recklessly spent in extravagant worKS to curry fax jur in doubtrul electorates, while the “smiling Homestead ’ dream seemed to fade away. Finding there was some dissension amongst his followers Sedaon endeavoured to silence it by oflering patronage at the expense of the public service. Stout was elevated to the Chief justicesnip; Reeves, who was feared lor his smartness, was sent to London as High Commissioner, and the Legislative Council and Civil Service swallowed up countless others of “Dick’s dear friends.”

About this time —a dozen years ■ago —Seddon’s strongest opponents were a small but valiant party of ■Conservatives, who represented the brains and muscle of the country, and were resolutely fighting under the freehold banner. The people were beginning to tire of Seddon’s promises and his panderings to the “red rag” agitators. But just when the standard was looking all tattered and in eminent danger of being trampled in the mud of a general election, war broke out in South Africa.

A wave of jingoism spread like wildfire through the land, and local politics were for the time being cast on one side. Seddon saw his opportunity, and on his rugged flag he stitched the Union Jack, across which was writ in gory red the legend “ Imperialism.”

The elections followed, and “Seddon, the Imperialist,” was returned to power on the very height of the jingoistic wave. He pouted his spacious chest and wildly waved his vari-coloured flag on high, while he farewelled New Zealand’s sons overseas to help the Motherland on the African veldt. All domestic troubles

were forgotten in the fervour of war and Dick Seddon was acclaimed the ■ ureac imperialist.”

With the kudos thus gained Seddon managed to. rally his dissembled followers, and for some time managed to carry on the Administration by tinkering with the rashly-conceived and ill-draited experimental legislation of previous years, to say nothing of his orazen theft of his opponents’ 1 political planks. Meanwhile the veteran Liberals of the Ballance era were gradually dropping out of the ranks and new recruits filled their places. These were sweetened with promises and bribed with votes for their districts, and thus another election was won. But the old.standard, what.of it? it liad become an object of wonderment, chequered with colours as multifarious as those of a rainbow, but with the golden balls a predominant emblem, which represented millions of Uncle Cohen’s money sunk in the land. The “smiling homesteads” of Ballance s dream were now dejected nuts laoled with I.O.U’s.

Still Seddon managed to grind a tune out of the old Imperial organ and divert public opinion from local aftairs. In addition lie had the good fortune to be leader while the country was passing through a period of unprecedented prosperity, so that the people cared little about the skeleton hidden away in the Treasure chest. Thus Seddon, still popular with the masses and respected as a citizen (not as a politician) for his many laudable attributes, was suddenly struck down by Death.

On Hail-Jones, a quiet, timid, but estimable man of retired disposition was thrust the Premiership, as Joseph Ward was away in London at the time issuing more mortgages to the money lenders on the security of our public works. Joseph returned post haste and fell on the fruits of office, while Hall-Jones got his solace in the High Ccmmissionership. Ward, who had seen a capable departmental chief nad never possessed the capacity for controlling men like his predecessor, and was deficient as a constructive politician. His chief characteristics were his insatiable desire to spend money and to “talk Imperially.” He was everlastingly knocking at Uncle Cohen’s door with 1.0.U’5., mortgages, debentures and other forms of security begging for money which, as soon as he got his hands on it, he spread broadcast with princely generosity.

Joseph Ward’s bent for Imperial “swank” certainly had its redeeming features. He focussed the eyes of the world on “God’s Own Country” and advertised our products far and wide, besides booming the potentialities of the securities he was offering our creditors overseas. But even the most plausible borrower gets a cold shoulder when his little tricks get known; and so our “Great Borrower’s” schemes for running the country on “tick” lost caste, and when the last general elections came round

Joseph Ward couldn’t get through on his pawn tickets and so surrendered command to Tom Mackenzie, an ambitious Scot, who after many years deserted from the Reform party to take a commision with Joseph.

Mackenzie was hungry for office but shortsighted. He only knew when he deserted Massey that there was a portfolio waiting for him if he threw in his lot with Ward. That was enough; he did it, and became a lieutenant under the piebald standard. When Ward slipped over the side of the water-logged Ship of State, Thomas ran to the bridge, and with a nondescript crew, jerry-riggged the old “Liberal,” and tried to make port. Massey had meanwhile gathered the Reform tribesmen on the headlands, and having all the points of vantage well manned allowed the old craft to waddle in and then pressed the noconfidence button. Result: The tattered standard was struck and the “Liberal” sunk fathoms deep in the blue waters of oblivion.

A new Ship of State is now ready for launching under Skipper Massey. The craft is well manned with a worthy crew of stalwarts, but there is still some doubt about the rating ct the officers. The old Liberal officers have mostly capitulated and are ready to sign on under the new captain, thus offering Massey an opportunity that has never- before presented itself in New Zealand of casting party politics overboard, and forming a strong, representative and business Cabinet that could afford to defy all the disintegrated factions of Radicalism, Socialism, Wowserism and Individualism left in the crew.

Some say Massey is too loyal a friend and that he will stick to his old followers and ignore certain men who could strengthen his Cabinet. If he does this he may weather party politics for some time; but on the other hand he now has the opportunity of crushing the accursed system and secure tenure of office for himself, besides ensuring the country a period of political tranquility, by selecting his officers from the strong men of both parties, and allow the stragglers to paddle for themselves. Let us hope for the best.

The new Prime Minister has had a long and uphill fight as Leader of the Opposition, but he stuck to his guns with commendable tenacity and now that victory has come to him, even his political enemies have hastened to offer congratulations to their old adversary, while his friends have hailed him with the greatest manifestations of goodwill.

William Ferguson Massey is now; in his fifty-sixth year, forty-two of which he has spent in New Zealand. He comes of a sturdy Londondery stock and his early* training as a pioneer farmer doubtless assisted to develope in him a strong prediliction for political welfare, in which he has

proved himself such a doughty chief. As Leader of the Opposition, the new Prime Minister had a hard row to hoe, but always exhibited the most cheery optimism and a remarkable capacity for criticism, even when many of his faithful followers were losing heart. In 1883 Mr W. F. Massey first took up land on his own account in the Waiuku district. Previous to that he farmed for his father and other landholders. It is interesting to note that his first acquisition of the freehold, which he has so staunchly advocated throughout his honourable political career, was a farm of 220 acres at Pukekohe. Later he “broke in” 450 acres of swamp land with eminent success, so that he is fully entitled to the proud boast that he is a genuine farmer. His first entry into public life was in connection with farming associations, and he gradually widened his sphere, until in 1893 he attacked the Franklin seat, which at the time was held by Major Harris. Mr Massey failed in his first essay for Parliamentary honours, but the unseating of Mr R. Monk, then member for Waitemata, gave the Premier of to-day another opportunity a few months later, and he succeeded in winning that seat. At the next general election Mr Massey - again sought the suffrages of the Franklin electors, and on this occasion beat Major Harris. Since that time Franklin has shown their confidence in the Prime Minister by returning him with increasing majorities each election. When Sir William Russell resigned the leadership of the party in 1903 Mr Massey was called to that position. His subsequent career has proved him to be a most zealous servant of the people and a most capable leader. Certainly no man has more richly deserved the high honour that has now fallen to his lot. * * * * . What the future has in store for the Massey Ministry it is difficult to forecast; but this much seems assured that the Government will be carried on with a greater concern for economy than has been the case for the last couple of decades. In this respect the new Cabinet will have a thankless task to perform in curtailing public expenditure, and may ■ earn a god deal of adverse criticism from a section of the people who care nought for the future of the country. However the country is in such a temper now that the majority will doubtless loyally support a Government that honestly endeavours 1 to place our finances on a sound basis. It is also pleasing to think that now there may be a prospect of a progressive land policy being evolved, which will throw open lands to useful settlement. The future is pregnant with hope. Good luck for Massey. •(*! * * *

Half a tpn of coal was a thoughtful item in a recent wedding-gift list. Usually a husband finds that it’s left to his old flames to make things warm for him.