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Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1925, Page 2

The Liberal Party as a result of the executive meeting at Christchurch shows signs of very active life. It lias pleased its opponents, both Reform and Labour, to refer to the party as decadent and on the point of extinguishment. The active signs at this ‘juncture disproves statements which are prompted by fear rather than fact the fear that the Liberals if kept organised, might come again. And they will. The manifesto should set at rest all those inaccuracies which have been given publicity with the idea of 'damaging the Liberal Party. Many

were circulated at last election to the detriment of the Liberal candidates, who were believed to be in alliance with Labor—similar misstatements. Hut the manifesto discloses exactly where the Reform Party stands and it does so. without the slightest exaggeration or misstatement. Cold facts are recorded which are either within general knowledge, or nre emphasised by circumstances confirmatory of the true position. That the Reform Party has run its race is clear. Not only was the sitting Government saved from defeat over the past three years by votes in the House from members not elected to support the Government, but today the Country Party, a branch of Reform, is being formed—another sign of disintegration. There is the pointed fact, too, that the Government during its present term has avoided contentious legislation. When anything unsatisfactory was introduced a single member of the party opposed to the proposals could divert Government action. The Reform Party has held office only as opportunists, making the best of circumstances as they are and, instead of leading, has been driven under a strong curb to which every member of the party held a rein. The manifesto draws attention to the flagrant position with regard to the Legislative Council, which it was proposed to reform, and for ■ which legislation was passed actually. The reform is on the Statute Rook but the Government would not give up its power in the matter and has used that power for party gains as circumstances warranted. 'Under this head alone the Government has been weighed in the balance and found wanting. The Liberals point this out. What will the electors do about it?

The electors will no dbuht net under the possibilities of the occasion. There is the choice of rehabilitating Reform ; or of placing the Liberals again in power, or of giving Labor the opportunity it is hungering for. Let it be said at once that there can he no question of fusion between the two parties. Even if the Liberals have to remain longer out of office than by a •coalition, it is better for the national weal that they should. A compromise cannot serve the country at this stage. The body politic requires export treatment. It cannot look for that treatment from Reform, because that party has failed. It has run its course and is not a winner. To hand the country over to Labor would ho to venture on a great experiment, the end of which no man can furseo. With the Socialistic and Communistic groups in Labor. there is not ally telling how far the experiments may go, and legislative experiments are an expensive procedure to the country. There remains the Liberals with the greatest political record behind them. Their leader may he- belittled, as he will he at this juncture but we know that Rallanee and Seddmi were equally belittled when they assumed office. That -Ministry of seven was styled by its opponents “'I he Seven Devils of Socialism ” —hut they carried the country through successfully and left a monumental record in legislation ami administration which is a standard for to-day and all time. It is possible for the Liberals to build as well in the future. Finance, which is the ground work of all good Government. was never more stable than under the Liberal regime. When the Conservatives of Sir Harry Atkinson’s time brought New Zealand to the verge of bankruptcy, the Liberals by a selfrestraint policy had to rescue the country. and the country’s credit never stood higher than in those Liberal days. When Reform bungled up the finance, the Liberal members of the National 'Government had to take hold of the finances, and we know the excellent position in which Sir Joseph A\ ard left them. Finance is no less involved now, and New Zeahind is just muddling along, the price's for wool saving the position to-day. The Liberals can save the country by sound administration to-day as in the past—that is the best form of stable Government —not waiting for something to turn up.

Looking to the future it is salest to judge of possibilities by the experience of the past. The Liberals have the best all round record. Where Reform failed, the Liberals wore successful. Of Labor there is no experience, lmt there is the fact of inexperience among the party. In relation to union funds from time to time muddle, and worse is disclosed and the management of those funds is in the hands of men who will be aspiring to Parliament. So much for the financial aspect for the time being, for Labor has other fantastic ideas about the use of money and property, the latter being the product of money. As to capability in management, the probable course of events was never better gauged than by the Ward Ministry—when it made the gift of a battleship to England. That gift was belittled by Reform and Labor .alike, and in a measure it cost the Liberals office, but when the war came soon after, the Xew Zealand battleship was foremost in tlie fights, being the right ship in the right place, and winning undying fame. As to domestic legislation, the Liberals gave Xew Zealand a sot of labor laws unasked by any party, but provided in keeping with the needs of the times as a natural consequence. That was a wise loresight which the Labor Party as a party is prone to ignore to-day. The Liberals in the lace ol most strenuous Conservative opposition gave the country a pension system which was adopted all over the world. The Liberal land laws (again opposed by the Conservatives at every stage) gave the country the chief means for progress in the nineties and after. New Zealand under the Liberals led the world with penny postage anti a Reform Postmas-ter-General who had lately returned to penny postage here, admits the increased business justified the reduction be made—reluctantly we might add. It would not be difficult to go on recounting the wise administrative acts ol the Liberals in the past, but sufficient has been said to indicate there need be no doubt and difficulty .about backing Liberal candidates at the next opportunity. The party can deliver the goods, in a loyal, straightforward, generous way. The Liberals can he again the political saviours of New Zealand.