Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, JANUARY 8th, 1920. THE LIBERAL PARTY.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, JANUARY Bth, 1920. THE LIBERAL PARTY.

The remnant of the Liberal party which has survived the late elections is to meet shortly at Wellington to elect a leader, define a line of policy, and generally prepare for the task ahead of it. Some of the Reform critics are scoffing at the Liberals still, keeping up the fiction that the defeated party is still anxious to ally itself with extreme Labor which is bent upon destruction ather than construction. The Reform newspapers had so' much to say along these lines during the general election that it is not unlikely they have come to believe their own mis-statements. However, seeing that the Liberal party is. now .so broken and bent it seems remarkable that the Reform press should still seek to belittle the f.alien. Nevertheless the Liberals, like Renizi of old “will come again,” and it is perhaps the fear of this which v disturbs the Reform press. The Liberals were jndispensihle in the days of the National Government, and they will be indispensilde now when a sound Opposition is required to assist in grappling with the affairs of the nation. The Liberals have been soundly progressive always. They have a political record behind them which w p fear the Reform party with all its strength, will not attempt to emulate. At- the. meeting shortly to be held in Wellington, the Liberals will select their leader. The Liberals no loss than the country will -miss the counseis of Sir Joseph Ward, but from the rank and file there are three or four possible leaders for the Liberals to choose from, and the new man in the coming session will be have ample opportunity to pipke good. It will not be for the Liherajs tp 4 e .h)!e a definite policy, Their genera] political principles are well known, and as an Opposition it will be for them to be critics of the Government policy. Mr M ass e>' went to the polls with rather radical leanings, and no doubt the Liberals will invite the Premier to follow up his promises with deeds. Jlp Massey will be required to make good, apd jnforcing such a consummation U lc Liberals \vi?J tyjye a special fluty fc9 perform. Before the strength of thy imst gessjon can he guaged, it will be requisite to know the strength > of the new CabinetTile personnel has to be revised very considerably, particularly if Sir James Allen goes Home as High Commissioner. Till Mi- Massey announces his new Ministry the Liberals cannot do much in a definite way to prepare for the session. With a new Reform Ministry established, parties will take a more definite line. There- are several Independents in the new House and their loyalty to the reigning party might be affected more or less by the personnel of the new part}'. But though the Liberals are depleted in numbers, they still have a fighting party, and the criticism from their quarter of the Hoiwe .will have to he listened to by the House, jjf wi by the country. It will be for the Liberal make good their pledges at the hustings nj.fiv, npd in endeavouring to do that they will do much for progressive legislation by pressing the Reform Party to prove their sincerity regarding file avowed policy prior to polling day.