AN OPPOSITION VIEW.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2251, 24 July 1908, Page 2

AN OPPOSITION VIEW.

MINISTERS AND MINISTERIALISTS CRITICISED. A CANTERBURY MEMBER’S OPINION, [Special to “Times.”] WELLINGTON, July 22. “feomo of the supporters of the Ministry aro nondescripts,” said Mr Hardy (Solwyn) yesterday, in a criticism of the Ministry aiid its supporters. “A week-kneed, limp-back M inistry,” was Iris reference to . -the Ministry. “Like the man with his donkey trying to please everyone and pleasing no one.” He pointed to the Minister for Customs and Labor (the Hon. J. A. Millar) saying: “He is. a first-rate man and a man I esteem highly, because ho has got tho courage of his convictions; but that was before tho Minister was on the Ministerial benches.” lie had hacked down over the Arbitration Bill badly last year. The Bill had been a good one, hut the agitator was too many for him, and throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion the agitator had been listened to. Ho knew Mr Millar to be a fair man, but when put to file test he had gone down, and he had gone down because of his associates in the Cabinet. “I can understand Cabinet saying, ‘don’t do it, Millar, -don’t <l'o it.’ Those are the people who have votes in the city and we must cater for the votes” (laughr ter). “I admire the Minister for Justice,” proceeded Mr Hardy, “because lie has a stiff back. He was not one of the weak-backed ones, but he was amongst them. As to the Minister for Lands, when the Lands Bill two sessions age was before Parliament, ho had nailed his colors to til© mast (hear, hear) but -lie pulled them down” (laughter). “1 would have gone off those benches,” cried Mr Hardy, “rather than do what he did; hut,” lie continued, “there is hope for him yet. lam going to get him married” (laughter). “Then my friend, the Minister for Education, lie is a weak man, too.” Mr Fislier: “He is away at the races.” (laughter). Mr Hardy: “lie is like myself and minds his business. He is a good administrator and I think he is looking after his department to the best of his ability;” but Mr Hardy did not like the way the Minister had given in over the Burnham and Te Oranga agitators. He believed Mr Fowlds had known these institutions were well-managed, 1 but had given way to the cries of commissions of enquiries, only to find that his own beliefs were correct. The Burnham school had been splendidly managed by Mr Archie. The work he had done, was a credit to this Dominion, but some weak-kneed supporters began to write to .the Minister, and he very weakly gave way. A commission was appointed, and it proved conclusively that the Home was managed splendidly, and the same thing occurred at the Te Oranga Home, where the matron was doing five times as difficult work as Mr Archie had done at Burnham. The Minister was so weakkneed that he gave way when representations were, made, and there was a foolish expenditure of money on a commission. The Minister knew that good work was being done there, then why on earth had lie agreed to hold an enquiry j-under such circumstances?