"LIBERAL" RALLY AT HOKITIKA.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1387, 13 March 1912, Page 6

"LIBERAL" RALLY AT HOKITIKA.

A SMALL MEETING,

'AND LARGE RESOLUTIONS,

(By Telegraph-Press Association.) Hokitika, March 12. A public meeting of supporters of the Liberal party was held in tho Town Hall to-night. Tho weather was not too favourable, but thero were about ono hundred people present. Tho Mayor of Hokitika presided. Among tho speakers were tho Mayors of Ross and Kumara, Messrs. I. W. Duff, S. J. Ferguson, and several others. Very appreciative references wero uiado to tho services rendered to tho Dominion by Sir Joseph Ward and the Liberal party. Tho following resolutions wero carried unanimously:— (1) "That this large and representative meeting, of tho Liberals of the Westland electorate begs to tender to tho Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward its appreciation of tho right hon. gentleman as the distinguished leader of the party; congratulates him on tho many valuablo services to the Dominion standing to his credit, and specially on tho liberal and progressive measures enacted by his Government, but more particularly it is desired at this moment to specially congratulate Sir Joseph Ward on the success and tact with which he carried through tho recent brief session of Parliament, tD the advantage of tho Liberal party, which fee has throughout led with such marked ability." (2) "That this meeting of Westland liberals learns with great regret that tho Right Hon. Sir ,T. G. Ward has decided to voluntarily reliro from tho leadership of tho Liberal party in Parliament, and whilo expressing satisfaction at his intention to continue to assist the party, feels compelled to give voice to tho general wish prevailing in this district that the right lion, gentleman should bo asked to reconsider his decision of retiring from the leadership, and expresses tho hope that in the readjustments of portfolios about to be undertaken weight will be given to this wish." (3) "That an invitation be extended to Sir Joseph and Lady Ward to visit Westland at somo convenient date after this month, and bo the joint guests at a social to be held about that time in honour of tho re-election of Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon to Parliament as tho Liberal member for Westland." (!) "That tho residents of Hokitika present be a General Committee to further tho success of tho social proposed, and that a meeting bo held at the County Chambers this night week to appoint a sub-committeo and make all arrangements necessary for the function." Tho proceedings lasted about an hour. It should be mentioned that thero were several counter attractions.

"VERY FLAT." Bx Telterapb.—Suncial CorMSDondeat.) Hokitika, March 12. The promoters of what was called a "pro-Liberal" rally hero to-night • must havo been singularly disappointed at the response on the part of tho public, from the point of view of enthusiasm and attendance. The proceedings were very flat, scarcely ono hundred people attending, and one of tho features of the meeting was the number of the older generation included in those present. Four resolutions were submitted, the first opening with the hackneyed phrase "large and representative gathering," which in view of the poor attendance was amusing. The second resolution contained one reference which, to say tho leasts is a "stretcher," namely, tho statement that the meeting voiced the "general wish prevailing in the district, and that Sir Joseph Ward should reconsider his decision to retire from tho Premiership." It was a distinctly presumptuous assumption on the part of the ono hundred present to consider themselves competent to express an opinion for tho seven thousand electors of Westland, especialy when it is borne in mind that over three thousand voted against tho Government candidate at tho last election, and a considerable number of telegrams were dispatched from Westland congratulating Mr. Massey on tho ascendency of the Reform party, whilst on the occasion of the displaying of the results of the elections by a local newspaper the defeat of Government candidates was heartily cheered. There is an increasing proportion of people in Westland who look forward to a change, of Government and the saying "the political emancipation of Westland by the defeat of sham Liberalism" is quite a household word. .