PUBLIC RECEPTION TO MR T. M. WILDFORD.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1920, Page 1

PUBLIC RECEPTION TO MR T. M. WILDFORD.

AN APPEAL TO MODERATE LABOUR.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 20

A public reception was tendered to Mr T. M. Wilfovd at Petonp to-night by bis constituents in the Hntt elec torate, in honour of bis appointment as Leader of the Liberal Opposition in Parliament. There was a large attendance, which was presided over by the Mavor of Petone, including a number of Liberal M-P-’s wlm/all congratulated Mr Wilford on bis appointment, and assured him of their loyal support. Iu thanking his supporters' 'for . thencongratulations, Mr Wilford said lie felt the "great responsibility of his position, and would always do his best in the true interest of New Zealand, lhe Liberal watchword would he, “Forward. What the Liberal Party had to do in future was to build. The greatest plank iu the platform of the Party was a_ reduction in the high cost of living, around which was wrapped every other thing they could think of. In political life the Liberal Party stood for the moderate men and women of New Zea-land-stood as a strong wall or buttress against extreme Toryism and extreme Labour; and stood for King and country “The Liberal Party bolds opt its band to moderate Labour,” said Mr Wilford, “and says. ‘Will you grasp 1 firmlv.’ It says, ‘We have stood to you \ve are ready to stand to you; will you stand to us?” To-night, as o the Party, I hold out my hand to noSato Labour, aod «*. “P»H« f wW. the l’»*. which von have proved worth ti listing in years gone by, and see it we ; capnot; „ut of the chaos that is ex.s mgjn this country'to-day, lead towards bet, tor things.’ ” MV th £ ] IC wished those people who believed i constitutional reform against direct action, to realise that they were young New Zealanders, who were w.lhng to st nd to those who needed assistance.