THE LIBERAL PARTY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 211, 19 May 1915, Page 4

THE LIBERAL PARTY.

. —"«•■ T* j AND THE POLITICAL SIIWATIOJT. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS ON OUTLOOK. (From The New Zealand Times.) AUCKLAND, May 14. The leader Opposition, Sir Joseph Ward, arrived in Auckland this morning and proceeds to Kaikohe, where he meets delegates of the Liberal and Labour party with reference to the Bay of Islands seat, and where he also delivers a public address. Interviewed, Sir Joseph Ward said:— "Like most people in New Zealand, I have been waiting for the decisions on the petitions affecting the different electorates. The last one having been decided, it becomes necessary to take steps with a view to further elections. It has been a prolonged business, and it would have been better if the whole of the issues had been cleared up ••withI in a short period of the general elections. The idea of election contest* during the currency of the great war has all along to me been deplorable. The, Government, having decided otherwise, 'twere was nothing for it but to fight the elections in the ordinary way, and, unfortunately, are not over yet. Internal political strife is still proceeding, and the two seats (Bay of Islands and Taumarunui) will, during the next- month or six weeks, be the scenes of keen activities on both aicipi.

"You ask'"me what my views are~oa the political situation generally. Until the two seats that are now vacant have been filled it is'difficult to forecast what is going to happen when Parliament meets. The Liberals in the past hare shown themselves to- be strong Imperialists, and have subordinated ©very other consideration to ensure what is best in the common interests of out country, and of the Empire. That is the position to-day. No,one can sensibly contend that if the Liberals came into power—as I think they will—the great Empire situation will not be directed as- in the hands of any other party. LIBERALS AND THE WAR.

"If evidence of-the sincere desire ot the Liberal Party in this respect werenecessary," continued Sir Joseph Ward, "one could point to the fact that the battleship New Zealand was .made a gift to'the Empire for the ex-, press purpose of. being used in what-: ever part of the Empire the Admiralty: might desire, and to my mind, apart 4 from the question of party politics, if adds enormously to the prestige of New Zealand that .we are the only one of the overseas dominions to have fr ship in the North Sea, where the British Navy has succeeded ever> since the war began in keeping the Germana Navy bottled up. WJ«f". this bottling up means to the Empire as.a whole one can scarcely realise. It has meant the preservation of jha British Isles; it has been the key to the freedom of the seas beyond; and it has made possible the wonderful operationsby which we have assisted our Allies with men 1 and munitions. New Zealanders may well be proud of the fact that their battleship has already on two memorable occasions distinguished itself.

"Moreover, the Liberals of thia country provided for the system of compulsory training, which all sections of the community now recognise has enabled the Defence Department to send away a magnificent body of men, trained, disciplined, and equipped to a degree which would have been impossible if the territorial system had not been in full operation long before the war broke out.

"I mention these matters only to indicate, as leader of the Liberal Party, that the Liberals of this Dominion have always been actuated by a keen' desire to leave nothing undone that" would help maintain the strength and solidarity of the Empire, and the public may rest assured that if we come into power, nothing will be allowed to stand in the way of doing everything essential or possible to help the Motherland. May I add that I have regarded it as a duty ever since the begin* ning of the war to help as far as lies in my power the work which the Government of the country has in this respect carried out. That policy will be continued until the end.

3STO DISCOEDANT NOTES. * "At the present juncture," added the leader of the Opposition, "I prefer not to discuss the suggested war tax or defence matters. It is a time of great responsibility for all payties, and it is well that no discordant' note should lie struek. No doubt in the future opportunities will arise for sensible criticism."

In referring to the war generally, Sir Joseph Ward expressed the opinion that eveywhere there would be nothing but horror and indignation at Germany's vile methods and disregard of all the ethics of war. One could only marvel at America's hesitation to join the Allies after the murder of innocent America's men, women and children on the Lusitania. That country could exercise considerable influence without attempting to raise atjujaray or offering the use, of its by taking suea* action would follow .a course Ttt&ectingjS?. honour .upon itself.- - - ..;. \-