THE POLITICAL ARENA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 63, 9 March 1912, Page 4

THE POLITICAL ARENA.

■ • I tv f it .1 MR VEITOH AT RICCARTON. , ’ (Per .Press A.sso<jlatioo I. •Christchurch, March 8. Speaking to-night at a . social to Mr D. S. Sullivan, the defeated Lahour candidate for Riccarton, Mr W. A.' .Yeitch, .M.P,,,for ,Wanganui, said that for the future the Labour' Party ’ 1 ' "■ must see 'whatever party ,vv’ak ' the most suitable for,, their' and do the best they could , with it for. that purpose. The identity ,of the Labour Party must be maintained., ' *. to carry on the work of that party. 1 ' /* If there were a few more Labour men' ; in Parliament they could -wield a tremendous influence. Even as it was, they had the power to ensure progress on sound lines. The Labour Party,‘he said, was lost to the Liberal Party,' not because the workers had ceased to be Liberals, but because the leader of . the Liberal Party had ceased to be democratic; The Hon. t .1. T. Paul urged that efforts should be made to secure the co-operation of the Labour Party and the small farmer. Messrs Hunter and Whiting, two local Labour leaders, urged that no Labour man should take a position in any Ministry other than a Labour Ministry. SIR JOSEPH WARD. Taihape, March 8. Sir Joseph Ward received very hearty receptions from residents at Palmerston North, Feilding and Hunioryille, on his way north by the Main Trunk express to-day, hearty cheering being given at each of these’ stations. At Himterville there was a large gathering of workers, who called for three lusty cheers for, as they termed him, “the man who kept the old flag flying.” At Taihape there was al large concourse, and many hearty congratulaitons were tendered Siqr Joseph. Great enthusiasm was displayed, and hearty cheers were given on his departure. • A WESTLAND TRIBUTE. Hokitika, March 9. A public meeting will be held in the Town Hall on Tuesday next for the purpose of appreciating the important services rendered by Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party. Most of the public men in AVestland will take part in the gathering, which will be representative of the district.