THE CLUBMAN

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1170, 12 September 1912, Page 8

THE CLUBMAN

Politics are like the weather: ever' ■changing and difficult to forecast. In New Zealand the Ship of State for several months was at the mercy of ■cyclonic storm, raging tempests and contrary winds, but the turbulent elements seem to have spent themselves, .and now the old craft is sailing along under full sail in a light and favour.able breeze.

He would have been a bold prophet who, three months ago, would have .anticipated that Premier Massey would have weathered the gale and cleared all the shoals that beset his course. At present it is hardly safe to ceclare that this was not due to luck rather than clever navigation, but certainly he is entitled to great credit for what he has accomplished; This much, however, seems to be quite ciear that once out in calm water he has been particularly successful in disorganising the political privateers that were laying in wait to wreck him and cast his crew overboard.

Perhaps the most significant feature of the present political situation is the disorganisation of the Opposition. A healthy and united Opposition is nearly as important as a progressive and strong Government. Although the present Administration may for the time being be filling all the essential demands of the country, yet it is to the advantage of the country to be represented by an Opposition at once alert and potent.

During the last few weeks we have witnessed quite a remarkable tendency on the part of several of the most influential members of the late Liberal Party of breaking the silken threads that kept it together for nearly a quarter of a century. To run through the names of the most prominent members of the last two Liberal Administrations and note their present attitude should be most instructive to every student of political history.

Joseph Ward refuses to identify himself officially with the Opposition and has even shown an inclination to cut adrift altogether from the Red Flag section of the party, headed by such, “impracticables” as Russell, Laurenson, Ell and Hanna. Ex-Pre-mier Mackenzie has accepted a “sop” from the Reform Party and gone to London as the official representative of the party who ousted him from the Premiership.

Arthur Myers has definitely announced that henceforth he will be a political free lance, and has severed his connection with the party that gave him, as a political suckling, one of the most important administrative portfolios in the last Cabinet. Tommy Wilford is hedging and frankly expresses his dislike for the official Opposition. John Findlay has sunk into political obliquity never to trust himself on the slippery road again. George Fowld's is vainly endeavouring to recruit a new following, and says of the party that stood behind him for years “is dead and gone.” Jack Millar has committed political

harikari, as also has Roddy McKenzie, while Tami Carroll will never again be able to hoodwink electors into tolerating his “Taihoa policy.”

In the comparative quietude of controversial politics we find several of our “puny statesmen” making a great hullabaloo about the cost of being a representative of the people. Why did not those, noble patriots ventilate their grievances before that grandmotherly commission they set up some months ago, and known as the “Cost of Lying Commission ” which recently issued a voluble but abortive report that cost the country upwards of £3000? * * # # Albert Glover said it cost him not less than a sixth cf his munificent

“screw” in paying for postages and telegrams. Radical Laurenson demanded clerical assistance for members. Prohib. Isitt wanted full steamer fares as well as a free railway pass, while Witless Witty appealed for more copies of “Hansard” to scatter broadcast over the land. “The Clubman” heartily sympathises with our privilege hunting Parliamentarians, but really when the intrinsic value of these particular growlers are weighed against their salaries, I am feign to think they are already most handsomely rewarded for their services to the country.

Just fancy £BOOO odd being spent every year on reporting, supervising, and printing “Hansard.” With that princely sum at the disposal of half a dozen smart newspaper men they could turn out a publication that would add to the gaiety of nations, in-

stead of turning out anaemic-look-ing volumes stuffed full of the most arrant nonsense and worthless claptrap conceivable, which does not even make good shaving paper. The next thing is preposterous. Why not employ a crop of experienced pressmen, armed with giant blue pencils to subedit the illkerate and inane debates?

Down in Windy Wellington there is a publication known as “The Dominion,” and a football scribe, who writes under the nom de plume of “Aristobulus.” Both are regarded in the Fmnire City as institutions supported i y an indulgent public, and both are responsible for much unconscious humour from time to time. The latter is especially worthy of a halo for abortive versatility. (Halos

nowadays generally are rewarded for negative virtues.) After failing as a lootbail critic he donned the cloak of a seer, but in this role he proved an arrant humbug, so he took up a blunt-pointed pen to belittle the prowess of iN'ew Zealand’s premier exponents of Rugby football. When admonished for his childishness he squirmed and hissed back a lot of unintelligent nonsense.

Poor “Aristobulus” whined like a spoilt child because “The Clubman” took him to task for allowing his enthusiasm to run to seed, and penned a pointless panegyric to the virtues of enthusiasm. “The Clubman” has never deprecated enthusiasm provided it was kept within reasonable limits, but like loyalty it is a dangerous trait when it upsets the mental equilibrium of frenzied scribes such as “Aristobulus.”

“The Clubman” appreciates the playful wit of “Aristobulus” in referring to the “Sporting Review” as “a small Auckland paper,” and is only sorry that “Aristobulus” has not a larger and more intelligent public to address so that this modest paper might profit by his gratuitous advertisement. But, truly “Aristobulus,” in our humbleness we are proud of your efforts to appear funny. Persevere mighty one, and you may in the fullness of time earn distinction as a humourist. But learn wisdom as you proceed, because it takes a wise man to be even a fool.

It is gratifying to know that the spirit oi enterprise that prompted the Auckland rrotting Ciao in forwarding its bold policy of purchasing Alexandra Park has resulted most satisfactorily, and Aucklanders have good reason to congratulate the farseeing and progressive men who not only saved the park from speculative builders, but have transformed itMnto one of the finest recreation reserves within the confines of Auckland.

Perhaps tne most beneficent result ci tne irottmg Cluo’s enterprice has teen the impetus the sport of light Harness racing has received. It has been raiseu to a worthy standard and new holds a proud place among the national pastimes of New Zealanders. Wiicii it is remembered that the present well-appointed and splendidly laid-out course at Alexandra Park was out a tew years ago little better than a rough neld with a few shambles scattered aoout it is easy to appre-

ciate the credit that is due to the trctiing enthusiasts who were responsible tor the transformation.

To Charlie Mark, the courteous secretary ot the A.T.C., generous eulogies were extended at the recent meeting of members. It was unanimously conceded that he was one of the chief factors in both raising the tone or trotting and popularising the sport in the North. There are few men wno possess a more intimate knowledge of the many phases and intricacies of light harness racing, and in addition bring to their work such whole-hearted energy, keen business acumen, and a judicial mind. Charlie Mark is personally popular in sporting circles and his enthusiasm is courageous, so that it is small wonder the Auckland Trotting Club is prospering under his favourable management.

One of the most harmless forms of speculation which thousands of New Zealanders indulge in is again being assailed by the wowsers. Last week the Minister for Justice stated in the House' that the police had instructions to prosecute any person sending money to Tattersail’s sweeps. Under our egregrious gaming laws “Tatt’s” are barred, but surely there is no form of modest speculation at once so innocent, fair and free from abuse. The Government is taking thousands a year from the people in taxation on totalisator returns, conseuently it is making an invidious distinction in prohibiting the purchase of Tattersail’s tickets.

manner of putting the ball into the scrum was severely criticised, and the rapidity with which the leather came out suggested that all was not in order.

The forwards, as a pack, worked hard and showed a surprising amount of. pace and knowledge of the finer points. The most conspicuous were Cann and McCue.

On the defeated side Bradley, who took Hardgraves’ place at full-back, was in fine form and it is mainly due to his good showing that the New South Wales men did not score many more points. He had a lot of work to do which, in the ordinary course

of events, should not have been his. His tackling and fielding of the ball was splendid.

Of the three-quarters, Curran was easily the best and he again gave his usual sound display. Cook showed heaps of pace, but his defence was below requirements.

Reke did not shine compared with the brilliant opposition, and perhaps there is just an inclination to overrate Reke. The trio showed no combination and were distinctly disappointing as a three-quarter line.

Webb, the half and captain of the team, die not come up to expectations.

Of course the failure of his forwards to secure the ball from the scrums may account in no small degree to his performance, but even allowing for this he was too slow in getting on to the opposing backs. Where he made some amends was in getting down to a rush, and in this department • he was the best of the “All Blacks.”

Both collectively and individually the forwards were splendid and with, the least bit of luck they may have added six or more points to the score. On three occasions in the first half they had an open goal but lacked pace, of which their opponents had an abundance. Rikatai and H. Hayward stood out by themselves and a finer performance than that given by this pair it would be hard to imagine. M. Hayward, King, Dunning and Mitchell each played solid games but did not follow up so smartly as Rikutai and “Circus” Hayward.

Summed up in a few words, it was a contest between a brilliant set of backs and a brilliant set of forwards and the backs won. Generalship also helped the “Kangaroos” to victory.