Liberalism Revived

Evening Star, Issue 20048, 13 December 1928, Page 10

Liberalism Revived

(Fbou Oua Parmambntaet Hefokter] WELLINGTON, December 12. Liberalism rc-emerging with a policy of progress was tlio theme prominent in the speech of Sir Apirana Ngatn at tho dinner tendered by the United Party to its leader, Sir Joseph Ward, to-night. Ho aroused enthusiasm by his eloquent reference to tho Liberal giants of tho’past—Ballance, Scddon, John Mackenzie, and Ward. Proposing tho toast of the guest ol tho evening, he said his mind travelled ' back thirty-eight years ago, when he had just matriculated at college and Mr Ballance came into power. There were four names united about that time, and one was Sir Joseph Ward. There was a good deal in a name, and the fact that Sir Joseph Ward’s name was on the top of the banner under which the United Party fought last election was a great inspiration. The speaker could rank himself amongst tho rearguard of the old Liberal Party, because ho was one of the young men who heard his elders in the backbloeks of tho East Coast mention the names of Ballance, Scddon, Mackenzie, and Ward. New Zealand in those days required men. Perhaps they wore rough and uncouth, but they had the boldness and the courage to say “ These are the things we want and tho things wo wish to adopt.” This was tho type of man who came into power in 1891, and tho guest of honour was tho last of tho four great men at their head,, who for good or ill swayed the destinies of New Zealand for twenty years, fom 1891 till 1911. Another name which also stood high was that of Sir James Carroll. (Applause.) A GREAT RETURN. “The last of that team,” continued Sir Ngata, “has performed a most wonderful feat in coming back at the head of a party and creeping again into the hearts of tho people. This is not altogether wonderful, because we have arrived again in New Zealand at the stage when there is another band of young men wishing to take another step forward. This is not a time to say ‘ Wo must play safe,’ because Now Zea’land again insistently demands that tho same problems which confronted us in 1891 must bo solved by the same typo of men. It struck me at the United Party conference that they wore the same type, though a little smoother in contour, a little more civilised and capable of wearing their clothes better. But they were the same typo as those who made the forward move.in 1890, and we have the miracle that a man who came forward then is at the head of the same movement to-day.” (Applause.) ” 1 hope Sir Joseph Ward will be spared a good many years to give voice, and with his experience to

The 1890 Call Repeated

Sir Joseph’s Opportunity

give shape, to the unaltered longings of the youth of New Zealand represented in the younger members of the United Party.”

GREAT LIBERALS OF THE PAST,

Sir Joseph Ward/ m his reply, referred to tiie fact that there were difficulties ahead, which he would explain to Parliament, and the party ho had tho honour to lead would have to ho fearless in carrying out what it conceived to be its duty to the people of New Zealand. iNo man had greater confidence in the iuturc than himself, ft would he impossible to conceive such a country being on the downward grade, lie remembered, early m his career, meeting at Te Auto a young man, an active figure, who was destined to till an honourable place m Parliament, representing his people. This was Sir Apirana iNgata, wim mid referred so clou non tly to his old friends —Seddon. Ballunce. John Mackenzie, and Carroll. He had tho warmest affection for Air Uallance. one of the Idlest characters over seen in Parliament. Ho was a man of broad views ami high ideals, and a courageous man. No words of his could adequately portray the character ot Mr Seddon. Until one got into very close association with Air Seddon it was imnossiblo to realise the immense power ol the man. Tie was a verv lovable man, who did a good deal in iiis day to Jay the foundations ol this country. His old friend, Sir John Mackenzie, was a fearless tighter, who always withdrew the claymore immediately he came into contact with opponents. He worked lor the great land policy lor which he never got full credit, hew people understood with what wonderful courage ho fought those who believed that iiis policy was inimical to their class. Sir John Mackenzie’s name would go down in history as tho great land reformer; and he could not forget Sir James Carmil, who never said an unkind word of anyone. These were the names ot the old Liberals; their deeds and memories would continue in the minds of everyone, as men who in their day worked courageously for their country. The hulk of the United Party comprised men who were in political life for the first time, but there were some who had been Liberals for thirty years. They had a broad recognition of thenduty to help those who could not properly help themselves, ft would be liis duty to co-opcrato with every member of the party to tin’s end.

Air Wiliord linked up the past fortunes of Liberalism with its present success, by a rimming story of liis experience in Wanganui, whither lie went to see his mother after the General Election. Ho found there a basket of flowers, sent with the compliments and congratulations of Airs Ballance, widow of the former Liberal I’rimo Alinistcr.