The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, December 1, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1331, 1 December 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, December 1, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The “Liberals,” or followers of Sir Joseph Ward, in this constituency, have not yet been informed as to the terms of the bargain entered into between the Party leaders and Mr John Robertson, the Social Democrat, concerning Mr Robertson’s right to claim the support of the “Liberals” in this constituency at the coming election. Surely the Opposition following have the right to demand the terms of the alliance. Here is Mr John Robertson’s opinion of the Liberal Party, expressed by him at Foxton and elsewhere in this constituency prior to the last general election. Speaking at Foxton on Thursday, August 31st, 19 11, Mr Robertson said ;

We hare two great political parties, one of which has been a long time in power [Liberals]. In the initial stages of its career it possessed an enthusiasm for reform, and brought about considerable betterment, but failed to get at the root of the evils. We find to-day the energy of the Party spent, and it is ready to be the tool of any section which enables it to hold place and power, but It is wholly unable to proceed any further In the reforms for the betterment of the people. Mr Robertson likened the Party to the chameleon, which changed colour in accord with the substance on which it was placed, but when placed ou tartan, which being of so many colours, the poor little reptile “passed out,’’ and this would be the fate of the present Party iu power.

This is the expressed opinion of the Ward Party by the gentleman who rode into Parliament on the back of the Reform vote last election. Mr Robertson pledged himself to vote against the Ward party on a No confidence motion. Everyone knows how Mr Robertson violated that pledge. Mr Robertson championed the right of recall, and if he had acted honourably, after breaking his pledge, he would have handed his resignation to the Speaker in support of a principle he propounded and have gone back to his constituents for endorsement or otherwise of his action. Instead, he gave a wriggled and twisted explanation about the spirit and letter of a pledge. This astute gentleman can be relied upon to treat the Wardists, when it suits his purpose, as be treated the Reform Party,

It remains for polling day to decide whether the “Liberals” of this constituency will endorse the agreement entered into between the Opposition leaders and tne Red Feds not to put up an official Opposition candidate to oppose one of the champions of the Reds. Are they going to blindly endorse such an alliance without first being consulted as to the terms which lead up to such an agree-1

ment ? If they give their support to Mr Robertson they, uphold all that took place during the strike. Let them think calmly of that great industrial upheaval and what would have happened had not the Massey Government met the situation with courage and determination. The Government’s action in connection with this revolutionary outbreak alone entitles it to the undivided support of every patriot. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that the Opposition are returned to power with a Red bed tail ? What would happen ? Think of it! The tail would wag the dog. What a humiliating position for any Party to be in. Anyhow, to what extent can Mr Robertson be trusted to support the Ward Party if he and they are successful at the polls ? Have the Opposition supporters carefully considered this fact?

Says the Manawatu Times: — “As a journal concerned with the interests of the country districts, we cannot be blind to the significance of any political party allying itself, or allowing itself to be connected with a party whose members exercised a very detn mental influence on country interests, and but tor the sturdy determination and vigorous action of country residents would have paralysed the whole work of production, and actually did hold up our commerce for a time. Though it is denied by some that there is an alliance between the Liberals and the Red Feds, those who have followed the actions of both will have no difficulty in arriving at the conclusion that they are at least working together, and are sympathetic with each other. In our opinion it will be a grave calamity for this country if it is ever given over to the rule of any party with a Red Fed tail. That tail would be very likely to wag the dog if any trouble promoted by agitators has to be dealt with by those iu office. What would have happened if during the recent strike those iu office had had any political sympathy with the agitators ?”