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Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1931, Page 4

That there is a. good deal of make believe in the political make up of the Labour Party is evidenced by the frequency with which Labour speakers invoke the past a.nd refer to the great Liberal leaders who did so mtich in building up the political fortunes of New Zealand. The flame of Grey, Balhmce and Sed-doti are often mentioned, and the speakers pose as decodes of the great men—pursuing the same line of policy. These modern interlopers, however, forget that they are for a class, while the Liberals were for the masses. Sir George Grey legislated also for “the unborn millions,” while Ballanco and Seddon had policies all embracing for the nation. Indeed, in the times of both Grey and Ballance, Labour had not appeared on the political horizon as a party. Tt was in the days of Seddon that Labour reared its head, and was taken under the wing of the Liberals as the “Lib-Lab” party. But Labour soon developed its extreme methods, and sought to byeak up Liberalism. That was its attitude after the death of Seddon and the premiership of - Sir Joseph Ward. Tt was in the Seddon regime, that strikes began aiM gradually grew worse despite the progressive legislation of the Liberals based on national needs. It was due to Labour as a political force, that Reform following the effete National Association, came into its long reign, and thereafter Labour ungrateful for what Liberalism had done for the working man, fought the Liberals right along the line. Even Mr O’Brien who snoke of the Ballance-Seddon regime here last week, was only sincere in speech -and not in practice, for was it,.net he who displaced the great Premier’s- son, -who followed on in his footsteps? Mr O’Brien’s reference to the great Liberals of the past was empty speech, because his political life belied his statement. Were Seddon here to-day he would take the honest course as Forbes is doing to save the country’s financial credit. Forbes is a Liberal who learned his Liberalism at the feet of Seddon, and lie may be trusted (as we hope this electorate will trust him to-morrow by supporting his candidate) to do the right tiling for the honest record of tire Dominion. Seddon would recognise the basic facts of the economic situation as Forbes •is doing to-day, and work for the financial reputation of the country Ivy making revenue meet the expenditure, and so save a financial crash.