The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1908. MR. MacDONALD AND THE FREEHOLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2359, 27 November 1908, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1908. MR. MacDONALD AND THE FREEHOLD.

Our evening contemporary is sorely troubled because someone has been impertinent enough to east doubts upon Air. McDonald’s position on the freehold question. As a matter of fact, tlie fault rests entirely with the candidate himself. AY hen speaking at Ormond, although devoting almost thcwhole of his speech to the land question, Air. AlcDonakl did not make it clear bow he stood on the most important phase of the land settlement issue. However, win-n questioned at Rakauroa, a definite answer was dragged from this reticent candidate, and he stated that he favored the freehold. His questioner then carried the point further, and asked Air. AlcDonald what he would do in the event of a want-of-confidenee motion being moved in the House m regard to the freehold question. His reply was that he would vote witli the Government. in other words, although Air. AlcDonald >as a practical farmer recognises that the freehold tenure is the only sound basis for the settlement of mis country, lie will bo prepared to sacrifice'bis own views as well as the interests of every Crown settler in the Dominion should his vote be needed at any time by the Premier. Truly a valiant representative who admits beforehand that the crack of the Government whip will always find him eager to respond and give a servile adherence to the party leader who lias been gracious enough to brand his candidature with the Alinisterial hallmark. Air. AlcDonakl knows that the proper settlement of the lands of this Dominion lies at the very foundation of national progress, and he also knows that those lands will never be efficiently settled so as to produce the best that can he taken from them unless those who work them can look forward to the lime when they will own their different allotments. Air. AlcDonakl believes in tlie freehold, hut as a candidate for a farming constituency lie admits that if elected lie will vote against the freehold if his party leader gives the word. Surely we have had enough of .this degrading submissiveness in Parliament in the past! Although the recent elections have given an effectual quietus to a number of those political timeservers who simply draw their salaries and, for favors received, voted straight witli the Government every time, there are still sufficient of the voting machine class without .adding one more from the Bay of Plenty. A\ r c do not ascribe any ulterior or paltry motives to Air. AlcDonakl, who is a gentleman deservedly respected by those who know him, hut we do maintain that in his desire to enter Parliament he lias given a pledge to tlie [ Premier which will effectually preclude him from asserting the independence that the electors have «• right to expect from their representative. The voice of the country, as expressed at the recent elections, lias been most emphatically for the suppression of tlie Government-pledged candidate, for experience has shown that an individual whose hands are tied by a promise made to the Premier may he extremely useful to his party hut is of little value to his constituents or to the State. One of the greatest curses .associated with the conduct of our public affairs lias been tlie deplorable extent to which the national welfare has been subordinated to party interests, and the call just now is for men who will stand firmly for the principles they believe in and will recognise no obligations hut those made between themselves and the electors from the public platform. Air. AlcDonald’s apologists urge that the free'hokl issue is dead. The overwhelming majority commanded by Sir Joseph Ward in the last Parliament was sufficient to silence it temporarily, hut it is more than probable that it will he a. very live topic in tlie new Legislature. Every Crown tenant in the Dominion desires the freehold, and the question will never be settled until he is given a reasonable opportunity to obtain it. Such an issue can only he temporarily delayed, and we shall be more than surprised if Sir 'Joseph AA'ard is not called upon to face a vote upon it during his first session of the new Parliament. In such a case, were Air. ADcDonald elected, he would be found voting for his party and against the settlers. It remains for the Bay of Plenty electors to say whether or not this is the kind of representation they desire.