SIR JOSEPH WARD AND LABOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1928, Page 3

SIR JOSEPH WARD AND LABOUR

THE UNITED PARTY AND THE SOUTH ISLAND. (Contributed.) The appointment and acceptance of Sir Joseph Ward as leader of the United Party has occasioned a great number oif happy reminiscences and has raised high the hopes of Liberals throughout New Zealand. Latterly, a feature of the Labour Party propaganda is the ridiculous and grossly imyiossible statement that “ the mantle of Sgddon has fallen on Mr Holland.” Labour, recognising at last the fallacy of preaching revolutionary doctrines to New Zealanders, is now making a bid for £he great Liberal element that has so long drifted leaderless and without hope. With the acceptance of Sir Joseph Ward, the dying flame of Liberalism has revived, and the country is glowing under the steady white light of hope and enthusiasm. The grotesque claim of Labour to the mantle of Seddon is now’ disproved, and if a corner of that revered garment has been grasped by power-hungry hands, it has now been snatched away, to reveal the wolf underneath.

The Lender of the United Party, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, has taken Ids rightful place at the head of the progressive force's of the Dominion. In the troubled war-time period, the country looked to his safe guidance in financial matters. ' To-day almost a national crisis has arrived. The insidious menace of Socialism has grown to huge and staggering proportions, when we find a vaunted party so blinded to its responsibilities that a 'Treat many of its enactments are purely Socialistic. For example the placing of Government nominees on Gove 1 nment-’nstituted Control Boards, of whi'di the policy is determined by these nominees, is neither more or less than the socialisation of the means of distribution and exchange, and even of proru tion of these commodities. Ti e La_ born- Party has the foundation already laid bv the Reform Party, for the carrying out df its objective. The name of this young country is besmirched with the charges of increased unemployment, extravagance in administration, fool-hardy undertakings, and an ever-mounting public debt. The leader has once more responded to the call of duty. One whose record is such that he could very well rest on his laurels, and yet be content that no man living has done as much for his country. Liberalism has been dormant. Now the mighty potent forces are gath. ering, and once again the Liberal flag will float as proudly in the breeze as it did under Seddon. Let Labour decry Sir Joseph Ward publicly as they will. That they recognise his ability is apparent. For instance, speaking on the Westport-1 nangahua line, Mr H. E. Holland referred to Sir Joseph Ward’s ability in the following manner (vide Hansard Vo). 210, page 1018): — Sir Joseph Ward: “ I do not believe in stopping any of them. But I believe in a new way of providing finance for them.” Mr H. E. Holland: “That (the Westport line) would have been finished had you been in power.” Sir Joseph Ward : “ Certainly—it would have been carried out towards completion years ago.” Mr Holland will see that what obtains in one case will obtain in eveiy case after November, 1928. What he says he will do, Sir Joseph Ward will do. and once again the South Island 1 will have a man at the head of affairs | who comes from the South, understands the South, and will give that very neglected South all the consideration that is its just due.