The Dominion. MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1913. THE PROGRESS OF REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1873, 6 October 1913, Page 6

The Dominion. MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1913. THE PROGRESS OF REFORM.

j If thero'is one thing more than an- ' other about the Reform Party which must choer its friends and confound its enemies it is the straightforward and matter-of-fact way in which it has, set to'work to give effect to the reforms which it advocated when in ! Opposition. It has not hesitated or turned aside to consider questions of expediency or the possible effect cin the fortunes of the party of antagonising powerful interests; but has pressed steadily forward with an earnestness of purpose which even 'those opposed to it cannot fail to admire. 'In theso circumstances it is not. surprising that it should have maintained amongst its supporters that enthusiasm wnich played so important a part in the fortunes of Reform candidates at the last General Election. Tho conferences of men and women delegates from. all parts of New Zealand which were held here last week to further tho interests of tho Reform Party, and which were followed- by the large gathering ill the Sydney Street on Saturday evening when the visitors met local supporters and members of tho party in Parliament, afforded visible evidenoe of tho activity and earnestness of the Reform movement. Tho audience, which ' crowded the Sydney Street Schoolroom, evidently felt thfit they had a cause well worth fighting for. A spirit of optimism pervaded tho proceedings, and everyone seemed determined, not only that the commanding position which the Reform movement now holds must bo maintained, but also that it .must be strengthened in every possible way, so that after the next appeal to the country the GcTyernment may be more strongly entrenched than ever. There is always a danger of a slackening of effort after a prolonged campaign that has ended ill victory, and this has to be guarded against. In politics tho battle never . ends, unci the Reformers, after winning their long up-hill struggle for clean,, honest, capable administration, have now to fight to maintain the ground they havo won. They know this, and plainly are determined to leave nothing to chance. The opponents, of 1 Reform are active, but in a different way! In tho' absence of legitimate grounds of attack', _they aro already making full use of the weapons of insinuation and misrepresentation in the hope of discrediting the Government.

The keynote of the Reform rally on Saturday night was the need of 'thoroughness in organisation. When people aro working for a common cause, and actuated by tho samo ideals it is only natural that they should come together and draw up a plan of, action so as to avoid waste of power by overlapping, and. in order to see that no possible sources of energy* are neglected. This is what organisation means. Now is tho time to carry on this work, instead of waiting till the last moment. The machinery should bo 'got into thorough working order, 1 so that it may be put in motion without friction at any moment. Effective organisation of this kind is impossible in these days without finance, and, as one speaker reminded the audicncc on Saturday night, there is a big open purse on the other side. Still, tho Minister of Marine was right when he declared that enthusiasm is even more important than finance—the enthusiasm of the many is a greater asset than tho money of the few. The Reform party makes its appeal to men and women of all classes who want good government, and who will support the movement because they really believe in it, and not for what thoy can get out of it. This is the spirit that cannot be permanently beaten. Cromwell's Ironsides were invincible because they woro fh-aily convinced tbut tlioy Jijidl,

right on their aide, and becausc of their splendid zealj discipline, and courage. They were not meiv> hirelings. ■'■'j 0 Prime MmisTEft laid stress on t k o ' 'i lll ' P resen '' Government 13 Liberal, democratic, and progrcsSI X e ; The Anti-Reformers protest wildly against this claim; but wo "it 0 vi OU highest authority that the liberal deviseth liberal' tilings, and in liberal things shall 110 continue. ' Tho Reform Party devised a hoeral and democratic programme, which received the approval of the electors, and they are now steadily placing liberal_ measures Upon tho Statute Book, in Bpite of the AntiKeformers, who arc using every trick and subterfuge to block their path. The Government's proposals, however, are so manifestly in the best interests of the country that it is very seldom that the Opposition pluck up enough courage to vote openly against; them. They are driven to resort to obstruction on various pretexts which can only deceive the ignorant or hopelessly biased. The Government's future programme, a good deal of which has already. disclosed, shows that the same' oroad liberal spirit which has so :faif characterised its' legislation is to be maintained. Tho Anti-Reformers, on tho other hand, have long ago abandoned the great traditions of Liberalism, and arc now floundering ingloriously on the slippery descent to the tyranny of Socialism. Moreover, with their obstructive tactics they have become a brake on the wheel of progress, and Mr. Fiseer gave voice to a widespread feeling when he stated that the Government was too easy in dealing, with them and their methods. Every day tho Government is strengthening its hold on tho confidence of tho people Jjy its actual performances. Tho foolish ■predictions of its opponents as to what would happen if tho Reform Party got into power havo all been falsified. Instead- of disaster, the financial position of the Dominion has_ been strengthened, tho humanitarian measures havo Dcen improved and extended, the "spoils" system has been abolished, tho land and labour laws are being mado more perfecit, and the general prosperity of tho country is increasing. The Reform members and their friends have good reason to face tho future with hopo and confidence. At the previous election they could only tell the people what they would do if "they had the power; but when they next appear before tho electors they will be in a position to point to what they have actually done. The present Ministry will be known as a Government that really does things and fulfils its promises. It is a welcome chango from tho old regime, with all its petty shifts and devices to cover up its lack of guiding principles and its bankruptcy of ideas.