The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1912. THE LIBERAL RALLY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 240, 10 April 1912, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1912. THE LIBERAL RALLY.

The Hon. T. Mackenzie and the Cabinet Ministers who are accompanying him on his tour of the country, have nothing to complain of at the reception that has been accorded to them in Taranaki. Nor is this due entirely to the fact that the Prime Minister represents a Taranaki I electorate, and a consequent realisation of the proverbial suggestion that gratitude is a lively appreciation of favors to come, for even outside his own district the head of the Government and his colleagues have met the warmest possible reception. Frankly, there seems to have been a considerable revulsion of feeling through the Dominion since the general election, and the conviction that the Ministry should be given a fair trial is rapidly growing. At the Liberal rally in Stratford on Monday night—a function which was admittedly a counterblast to the gathering of the Reform Party a few days ago—the reception accorded to Mr. Mackenzie must have warmed that mysterious commodity popularly known as "the cockles of his heart." Nor was this due to the fact that he was making his first appearance in this district as the official head of the Government. Much of the sympathy and kindliness that were so generally expressed resulted from the sterling speech that he delivered. It was a fine aggressive utterance, sane, strenuous and statesmanlike, yet quite devoid of any bitterness or personality, and it was in striking contrast to the platform deliverances of some of his opponents. In this respect he displayed qualities of tact and courtesy that should be of good service to him in the difficult course that he will have to steer in Parliament. There are rocks and shoals in plenty ahead of him, but he has already displayed an abundant promise of his ability to steer clear of both Scylla and Charybdis in the political waters. His platform was clearly and concisely stated, and whilst he made many shrewd thrusts at the joints of the Opposition armor, he "played the game" throughout, and never descended from the heights of logical dissertation to the quagmires of vituperation. He made only one appeal, in the course of a plain and generous statement of the political position, and that was for fair play and "a fighting chance." The country will be disposed to grant him this in view of the statement that if he cannot "make good" he will be prepared to give way to others. He has been admirably supported in his campaign by his lieutenants, and both the Hon. Geo. Laurenson and the Hon. G. W. Russell made a good impression by their judicious and temperate contributions to his elucidation of the political position. At first sight the new Cabinet conveyed the impression that it was distinctly heterogeneous in its character, but its attitude has i

been so confidently sincere and sanely administrative that thia opinion has compelled a revision. There will, of course, be a suspended judgment until deeds have taken the place of words, but, judging 'by the speeches delivered in Taranaki, the new Cabinet contains some very able platform men, who will not be afraid to measure swords with the most doughty of their opponents and carry the war light into their camp.