REFORM PROSPECTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2135, 29 April 1914, Page 8

REFORM PROSPECTS.

CHIEF- WHIP INTERVIEWED,

A BRIGHT OUTLOOK.

Mr. D. H. Gnthrie, M.P. (Chief Government Whip), mado some interesting observations upon 'the political situation when lio was interviewed by a Dominion reporter yesterday. . Mr. Guthrio speaks from first-hand knowledge, for in his official capacity ho Las lately dono somo extensive touring in the North Island electorates, from Oha/kuno down to Wellington, and ho has 'also, during the- last few months, spent ii Rood deal of time in tho South lsJaild, It is liis business to keep in close touch with what is transpiring [iu the electorates throughout the coun'.'try, and ho is of opinion that the rc•'sult of tho next election will bo an eyeopener as to tho change in political opinion in tho South Island, and generally as to the high standing that the .lieform Party has everywhere attained. '■ "The general outlook for tho Reform ■Party was never better in the country than' it' is to-day," Mr. Guthrio (le•clared, "and in every place visited I iliavo heard strong assurances of united ?support. A good deal has been said j'about iJbo energy displayed by the other 'oido in invading the different electorates being likely to prejudicially affect 'th'o Government's interests. That is hiot my experience at all. > In no inJstauco havo I found that. their effort ?ias been effective. ' That they have loen received with apparent cordiality in places is due to tho fact that no ac'tion has been taken by our side in the ■'way of interfering with the- series of hneetings that the Oppositionists have 'held. Wo have recognised tho right /of , freedom of speech to all parties, and 'our supporters havo inVariably abstained from adopting the tactics that have ! becn used by tho Opposition supporters ■and sympathisers. TheirH.aim apparently is tb'roake it impossible for leadh'ng politicians on our side to put their feaso before the public. We leave it I entirely in tho hands of tho public to ijudge as to which party is adopting a 'fair course of procedure, and we have tthe. utmost confidence in leaving the 'result in the- hands of the electors at .tho next general election.

Votes and Candidates. ' w "With regard to tho statement mado .ay some Opposition speakers, that the iprosent Government does not represent 'a majority of tho voters of New Zealand," said Mr. Guthrie, "there is abjsolutel.y. nothing in it. Our opponents do not take into consideration tho 'muniber of votes that have been cast in electorates which wo did not contest )nt tho last election, arid,they also claim, ■In. their estimate of tho total votes, all those cast. ,against tho Reform Party, including thoso \cast, for the iSocial Democrats, for Labour candidates, and for Independents. The pre- ' sent position of l parties shows clearly 'and distinctly what a largo proportion ■ of the votes cast for tho Independent candidates must have been those of electors in sympathy with the Reform ■Party. v No more striking proof of tho .fact that tlio majority of the voters in. New Zealand are in accord with tho . principles of tho Reform Party can be supplied than tho readiness with which capablo and responsible men are cominc forward as candidates in the Government interest in every constituency in New Zealand." Mr. Guthric went on to state that his experiences in 'dealing with candidates in the different electorates, had been most satisfactory and encouraging. An earnest desire for tho success of the party had been clearly shown by intonding candidates even when this entailed sacrfiicing their own personal ambitions in favour of •someone else. In not a'single case so far had any serious difficulty been experienced in selecting the candidate most acceptable to the people, and in. a I number of cases sevoral aspirants had withdrawn in favour of the choice of, the party. A Rood deal of criticism had been levelled at tho present Government, •< Sir. Guthrio continued, on account of the alleged non-fulfilment of tho policy declared prior to last election, and of the pledges given to tho people at •that time. Tho impression ho had •"Rained in the different electorates was that tho. peoplo woro absolutely satisfied with what tho Government had done up to tho present in the way of redeeming its pledges, and liad the fullest confidence that, as timo permitted, tho balance of tho pledges would bo redeemed. He found that great credit Was given to the Government for what it had done, especially in regard to tho land question, in its desire to assist tho small farmer and the working man to make a homo -for himself,, and in tho attempt made, under very difficult circumstances, to give the fullest financial assistance to those responsible for tho. local development of the country. . . , No Bogus Platform. The Government, Mr. Guthrio added, ' had laid no bogus platform before the j?eoi)lo, and he was of opinion that before the close of next session effect would bo given to every main ulank of the policy, that was laid before tho country. prior, to iast, election. The Government would face the next election with a record of achievements which had not been paralleled by any Xfliv-Zealand Government in an'equal pc; iod.