The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1922. REFORM’S PROMISES.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1922. REFORM’S PROMISES.

The manifesto issued by Mr Massey as the Reform Party platform is more j remarkable for length rather than j breadth. It is very wordy—but alas ! empty as a convincing statement in the light of similar previous promises | which still remain unfulfilled. One ; very striking fact about the remarkable deliverance is that in the state- j merit in three places Mr Massey cm- j phasises the fact that New Zealand needs a strong Government. Most folk would have thought New Zealand had a “strong” Government, for Mr Massey has boasted over and over again that he has never lost a division in the House. Surely that indicates strength above the average and if Mr Massey were genuine in the desire for the political regeneration of the country, ami anxious to fulfill all those promises he made, also by manifesto, three years ago—well the political inilleniuiu should have been here, and there would have been no need for Reform to worry about the coming elections at all. Rut Reform despite its strength, which it has failed to use efficiently for the political good of the country. Reform stands Afraid of the results of the coming general election. There is Mr Massey’s apparent confession that notwithstanding Reform’s advantage ill numbers it is not “strong in brains and administrative capacity. That the party almost unwieldy as it is, is not composed of the best talent and sfK we have tlio appeal for “strong’’ men. Wien the Coalition was necessary tlie Government rushed the Liberal Party for strong men from that quarter and it was a fact that the 'Liberal fusion was the dominating partner in brains and administrative capacity to carry on the sound and really strong government of the country. This is recognised in Christchurch to this end, where at a meeting of the Reform party the other evening the following resolution was carried, inter alia with the object of securing to Parliament a brainy Liberal who lias been always an outspoken Critic of Mr Massey's policy:—“fn view of the spoiial circumstances and the danger attendant upon a three cornered contest, this meeting pledges itself to give its fullest possible support to the Candidalire of Mr Isitt and calls upon Reform Party supporters in Cllrstcburcli North electorate to actively n“s’st in securing the election of Mr Isitt.” For the sent referred to. Reform has “turned down” an active Reform supporter and throws in its lot with the Liberals to secure the return of the “strong” man. This incident suggests that the more Liberals who are returned the better, seeing that in those ranks there is the greater political strength for the betterment of the country. As a matter of fact New Zealand is at present suffering from the results of a weak and not , a “strong” Government, for while it is readily acknowledged that Air Massey himself is something of a political giant. a man of great industry and of untiring energy, the warmest friends of the Reform Party would be less than (undid if they refused to confess that he is surrounded by mediocrities. Taking the present Government as a whole Mr Massey’s own individual capacity i is not sufficient to make out a good ' average; lienee, as the Lyttelton Times i has commented we endorse 'the Prime Minister's emphasis of the need of a : strong and capable Government. Rut jMr Massev goes on to say that it ! is necessary that the strong Government should reflect the prevalent de- ! moeratie spirit, which is certainly a qualification not possessed by the prei sent Government and the party in the

House which gives it tho power to rule. Eighteen of the memlicrs of Hr Massey’s party and one member of the Ministry are minority tives, and aro totally unable to reflect the spirit of democracy. They represent tho negation, and they stand for the defeat of the spirit of democracy. But the opportunity to change all this is at hand.