POLITICAL REVIVAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1844, 2 September 1913, Page 4

POLITICAL REVIVAL.

ON WEST COAST.

THE ADVANCE OF REFORM

ORGANISATION WORK,

fl)y Telezraph.—Special Correspondent.)

Hokitika, August 31

"I shall always cherish pleasant memories of my visits to tho coast, and I am delighted at having been associated with the biggest political revival that has taken place on the West Coast for tho past twenty years," declared Mr. David Jones, organiser for tho New Zealand Political Reform League, when asked to givo his impressions of his visits to the West Coast. e Tho Growth of Reform. . Mr. Jones said thero wore today over 6000 electors in tho Grey and Westland electorates who woro in) favour of the Reform Government, as opposed to tho so-called Liberal party. This was in addition to tho 2000 odd -adherents to tho "Bod Fed" movement, who lived in the Grev electorate. Ho was satisfied from what ho had seen, for himself in connection with liis visit in organising in various parts of tho two electorates, that thero was a growing feeling in favour of the present Government Tho meetings lie had addressed were largo and very representative, and in tho off-season of politics showed that keen interest was being shown in tho Reform Government. Quito a number of thoso who' wero opposed to tho Reform Government at tho last election wero openly stating their intention to support tlio party in tho future. Tho organisation of Reform Leagues was now spreading from Reefton in tho north, to Okura in the south. And this would gather round tho Government candidates at the nest election a representative body of intelligent, independent electors, who wero prepared to givo personal services, and mako sacrifices if necessary, in tho interests of clean and progressive administration.

Tho Miohel presentation, Mr. Jones said, was tho most remarkable gathering lio had attended during his visit. At the presentation gathering held in Greymouth on Tuesday, though over a month had elapsed since tlio by-election, nearly 2000 pcoplo had met to do honour to tho man who had fought such a valiant fight in. tho interests - of tho Reform Government, and who had been tlio means of demonstrating that the Reform Government has tlio support and influence of tho biggest, strongest, and most, vigorous party in tho Grey electorate. Tlio meeting was most enthusiastic throughout, and provided a remarkablo demonstration of the popularity of Mr. Michel and of tho Reform movement in tho Grey electorate. ' West Coast Lands. Discussing tlio West Ccast lands, Mr. Jones said it was his firm opinion that what was wanted on tho West Coast was a recU'isificition of tho whole of its lands. Many reserves wero tied up as scenic reserves which ought to he dairy farms. Othor areas of good- bush lauds that would tako grass splendidly were closed for the future development or tho wood pulp industry that showed no signs of being pushed on, wliilo milling areas should he leased for grazing purposes, reserving tho mineral rights to the Crown. Tlie, agricultural and pastoral industries, were..tlio foundation' of permanent prosperity in this Dominion, and thero was great room for development throughout the West Coast, whero tho evidence of tho uncertain and fleeting prosporitv associate ed with gold mining was indicated in the non-progressivo condition of como of tho small towns on tho coast. Mr. Jones said ho had noticed with amusement that tho member .for Westland had taken exception to tho appointments mado by tho Reform Government on tho Westland Land • Board. Both tho appointees aro well known, successful, and capablo farmers. Mr. Bernard Ward, who was mentioned by Mr. Seddon, was put on the board in tho placo, of a' land agent and auctioneer, and it was admitted by the political opponents of tho Government who have dealings with the Land Board that tliero was no ono moro capable to deal with land settlement, and certainly Mr. Ward was a distinct acquisition to the board. Mr. Ward wa3 a successful farmor and chairman of directors of tho Arab ura Dairy Company. Tho other appointee, Mr. Houliston, was a practical farmer, and his farming spoko volumes for his knowledge of tho latest and most up-to-date methods of farming. Ho replaced a member wlio was very old, and who had long ago retired from active participation in agricultural pursuits. Tho work of public bodies should bo judged by results, said Mr. Jones,- and tho results of tho Land Boards of tho West Coast, in his opinion as a practical man, wero oxeeedinglv unsatisfactory, and tho Westland Land Board had sadlv needed the illfusion of new blood. Both the appointments were well chosen, and he had noticed that tho "West Coast Times" had challenged the membor for Westland to name a moro experienced and better fitted West Coaster than Sir. Ward. Tlio challenge 'had not been accepted. ' Reform Organising. The work of organising Reform Leagues had engaged Mr. Jones's attention, and lie expressed his satisfaction at the result of his labour. He addressed a well-attehded and sympathetic meeting at .Ross, where there is a mining community, and a strong sub-branch had been formed, and a strong executive committeo appointed, and a large number of members were enrolled. At tho meeting at Runtapu, whero tho community is composed entirely of sawmillors, tho workers had filled a fairly comm&dious school, and at the conclusion of tOio address, Mr. W. Morris, who had been a strong supporter and worker for tho Seddon cause, stated that he would in future support tho Reform party. Ho joined _ tlio league, and said that lie was satisfied that tho Liberals had only been liberal to themselves. At Kokatalii._ which is entirely a farming community, thcro was another largo gathering, and many members wero enrolled, and-the'mem-bers decided to attach themselves to the Westland branch'. At Kanieri, which is a mining and sawmilling district, thero was a largo attendance, and very keen interest was displayed, and _ a large number of thoso present joined _ the league. Mr. .Tones said ho also visited Reefton on Monday, and met the sunporters of Reform and formed a branch. A meeting is to bo held in threo weeks' time, when officers will he elected. Ho expressed his pleasure nt having been invited to attend the first annual social of the Westland brunch' of tho league, when thero lvns a largo and representative gathering, and he noticed with great- satisfaction that the vonng people of tho district were taking a keen interest in tho Reform movement. Ho was pleased to noto that tho Westland branch, which was tho first formed on tlie West Coast, was a vigorous body, and was making .very strong progress. Oil Thursday evening a strong branch of tlio league was formed at Greymouth.