THE REFORM POLICY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2328, 9 December 1914, Page 4

THE REFORM POLICY

QUESTIONS FOR ELECTORS

MR, MASSEY'S REVIEW OP THE ' POSITION (By Teleurauh.—Press Association.,) Auokland, December 7. In a review of the political situation, the Prime Minister said the first question which thoughtful electors jiaye to put to themselves is whiok wall be the stronger and more, reliable Gpvernjgant from a, national and Imperial view-point during this great crisis? From that view-point can any advantage be expected from a- change; of Government? What evidence is' there on which to base, the hope of any such advantage? What are the facts ? TJie truth is that the Reform Government has conducted the country's business with a dear mind and a steady purpose. In 1912 the Waihi strike, which began two months before the Reform Government came into power, revealed the extreme character of the Red Federation of Labour, but on July 22,1913, the, "New Zealand Times," one of the Ward Party's principal supporters, declared editorially: ,: Mr. Webb (tjie Soqiai Democrat candidate for Grey) i 6 something more th§ri a Syndicalist. He' 'is. president of the Federation of Labour, which aims at the same ultimate political objective as the Liberal Party. It may be disposed to make the pace hotter than the Liberals hava hitherto been prepared to proceed, but what tf that so'long as the two parties are traversing parallel progressive lines? It may be true that the Federation of Labour is working to destroy tho cb> fence system, but it does not follow that Mr. Webh will destroy it." The "Lytteiton Times" stated in an editorial of July al, 1913, that tho Liberals'supported Mr. Webb because they knew that nine-tenths of his policy was their own. The "Maoriland--Worker stated'on August.!, Wi- '%*?> wb< > voted for the candidate (Mr, Webb) oj. the Social Democrat Party, did £0 knowing that his colour was undiluted red. They voted for him knowing that he stood for "revolutionary Socialism in politics. The" Social Democratic Party stands first aud foremost for the transformation of tie capitalist State into the co-operative Commonwealth.,,' ' Yet, towards the close of last year's strjke, when the Red Federation!sts and Sooial Democrats were running Mr, M'Oopmbs for the Lyttelton. seat,' the "New Zealand Times" stated on Der cember 10:—"The seat' must be won by the Federation (f Labour. In deciding between the two candidates, t(!<? Liberals 'mav be depended upon to vote for ■progress'""' The" ~L yttelton ah frivete.rj.te supporter of the Ward party, stated'on December 15 that the platform of'the Social-Democratic Party was ""plainly bas,ed on that pf the Pro? gressivq Liberals.'? New Zealanders have to ponder on the'fact that the Keel Federation and its ''political expression," tho' Social.. Democrats, : .are uncompromisingly hostile to the present national'system of defence which their official organ, the' "Maoriland worker," has denounced. The Red Federation is Stteo irreconcilably opposed to the Arbitration Act. The second great quostipn for ' tho electors is which will be the better Government fpr domestic policy? The Reform Government cpe in for a, legacy of .financial difficulties from tho previous Administrations, and there 'were other" trpublefiror' "Which;-the-new-administratipn was not responsible, but the Government came through the or* deal with credit, That is acknowledged by those wlio' fee] unbiased, both here, and abroad,' In the Departments of Finance, Lands' Agriculture. Railways, the." Publjo Service,' Social Legislation, Tradp and Commerqe, Labour, Educa? tipni and Rational Defence, exceedingly important reforms beneficial to the' public have been 1 ' effected., ; It is. true that additional .expenditure has been ipqijrred by inpra liberal provision far pensions and by increases of salaries for the Public Service, Railway Service, Teachers; and Vo\\(fi. but this has been done without a single.penny of increase in the rata pf taxation of the genera] mass of the public, The only increase has been on the comparatively wealthy, qlasses. Stability for : . industries has been assured by the. ohecl? given '''to" tho Red Federation, and every man has a right to work in peace with fa.ir and free opportunities. ..The Reform policy is on a basas to ensure good use of land with corresponding increase of inv tional wealth for the ' benefit of" all classes. A calm, serious'study of the situatipn cannot fail to impress' on New Zealanders the supreme importance of the national factor in this timeof Imperial crisis. This is not the time,for the pergonal element to prevail "against New Zealand's need, which is a Government firm aud free to act for the good of the whole Dominion and the Empire. The-Reform Government has proved it§ ability in times, of great difr liculty to legislate aiid to administer for the'benefit of all-classes.. The R-e-, form Party lias thoroughly earned the people's egnfidenee,'