POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2504, 9 November 1922, Page 3

POLITICAL.

There is some talk of Sir Joseph Ward contesting oil her the Wellington North or Invercargill seats.

Speaking at Pukekohe on Monday. Mr Massey said as regards the issue* of the election, the Government could only be ousted by a combination of the Liberals and Labour. The leader of the latter party had asserted that if Labour joined up with the Liberals, Labour would dominate the party’s policy. Tt was clear, lie declared, that. Labour’s policy was confiscation in the form of Socialisation of the means of production, exchange and distribution. The issue was thus between a stable, strong Government and chaos. At Tokomaru on Monday night, Mr J. Linklater addressed a large and attentive audience. The speaker hit straight out and condemned (lie Bolshevistic and extremistic ideals as propounded by the extreme Labour Party, pointing out that its leader gleaned nearly all It is ideals from foreign sources where already they had proved a failure and ruinous to the country following them. Their land policy, as expressed and exposed by Mi' Rod Ross, clearly indicated that it was nothing more than a cloak to catch the innocent farmer’s vote. Various charges against the Government were dealt with and Mr Linklater concluded his speech by asserting bow liberal the Reform Government was in its legislation and how Mr Massey was the truest exponent of Liberalism as expressed to-day, quoting Sir Joint,Finlay as his authority. Several questions were asked the candidate. which were answered satisfactorily. and at the conclusion a vote of confidence, proposed by Mr ITume and seconded by Mr Williams, was carried with no dissentients. Mr J. Whyte occupied the chair and, in introducing the candidate, referred to the active part lie had taken in local affairs and how efficiently lu* had carried out his duties in connect ion with them. Mr (’. P. Skerrett, K.C., president of the Welfare League, has issued the following statement.' “Several public statements made by the Reform Party’s candidates allege that the Liberal Party lias an understanding with the Red Party, under which they have refrained from opposing each other’s candidates. These allegations have continued for some time, and persist in spite of the contradiction of those concerned. The Welfare League, as the result of its investigations and from knowledge required in the course of its activities to prevent triangular contests is aware that these statements are without foundation, in fact, give an authoritative assurance that no such understanding as alleged exists.” Mr W. Murdoch, of Shannon, who asked as to his reasons for withdrawing from the Mannwatu seat, stated he had found that the deetors —even Liberals —intended voting for the Reform Party, as they were afraid of the. Labour candidate winning. Moderate Labour was also voting with Reform on the same ground, while others of the Moderate Labour Partywere voting with Labour, being afraid of the Reform candidate winning. These reasons were the sole grounds for his withdrawal. The election had resolved itself into two parties so far as the Manawatu electorate was concerned. Tn his opinion, he stated both parties were the two extremes. The time would come when the people would take saner views and see their folly and again vote for Liberals. Only one thing would succeed, 'and that, was a Government of righteousness and justice to all sections of the community, and not in the interests of any particular class in it. _____