A UNITED PARTY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2334, 16 December 1914, Page 6

A UNITED PARTY

"SOLID AS A STONE WALL" THE LINE OF CLEAVAGE STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Maseey) made a short statement yesterday to a Dominion reporter concerning the result of the elections. "Naturally I should- have liked to havo had a larger majority," said Mr. Massey, _ 'but we have the satisfaction of knowing that the Reform Party in 1 arliainent is as solid as a stone ™ll And when we look back and think of tno forces and the weapons that were used against us, the wonder is that we so well. No statement was too wild, no slander too vile, to be hurled at Government candidates. Forlunatey most of them have .been answered by the votes of the electors where the positions were understood, but by a great many electors the falsehoods were believed.' Franklin replied to the Ostrich Farm story by giving me a maj°nt)' of nearly 3000, the largest in Aew Zealand, and this practically without canvassing on my part. Raglan, where Huntly is situated, lias replied to the Huntly fable in the same way by giving Mr. Bollard, the Reform member, a majority of over 1400. "Then there was the unholy alliances of Wardiste and Red Feds, and their sympathisers, and their tactics in the way of disturbing , public meetings and intimidating the more easily frightened. Nothing so disgraceful in the political history of this country bae occurred as that which took plaoe at my Ponsonby meeting, where Miss Bradney, daughter of tho es-member for the district, was injured, end where, owing to tie lighting apparatus being tanvperfxl with, a stampede which might iava caused serious loss of life was only very narrowly averted. These things speak for themselves, and make the diiriding Jimj between the Reform Party and its ponents clear and plain. "Since polling day I have had quite a numbor of expressions of regret from people who say they were misled/and 'recorded their vote's Rgainst the Government, and who now wish for another opportunity to put the matter right. It is possible they iriay get what they wish, for, but in the meantime we are going on with the business of the country, confident in tlie loyalty of the party, confident that the country already recognises. the narrow oscape it has had from political chaos, and . confident that when the time comes, be" it sooner or later, the Reform Party will again increase the number of votes recorded in its favour as compared with those of last week, and of three years ago. Politics in tllia country have now resolved themselves into a struggle between the Moderates and the Extremists, and it is for the people of [ New Zealand'to say which they will choose.. . . '

.; "At the same time, I wish to express my sympathy with those of my supporters who have fallen .in the fight —men who with unswerving loyalty, have worked shoulder to shoulder with me in the past for the welfare, of New Zealand and of the .'Empire.' To the new men who have come forward in the cause of Reform but have not succeeded on this , occasion, I have to express my gratitude and my thanks. They are men who would have been a credit to the party and to the Parliament. They have fought a good fight, and most of thorn, I feel sure, will one day .-yet -find a place in the Parliament of New Zealand." ■■.'■■■■ ' •