POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 48, 17 July 1914, Page 4

POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE.

i ANNUAL CONFERENCE. g " Per Press Association. J Wellington, Thursday. > The annual conference of the Ne*f Zealand Political Reform League opened to-day. m The Dominion Executive, in presenting its annual report, members, more particularly the leadciy - Mr. Massey, and his colleagues, upon the improved outlook and prospects of the party generally. The executive felt this was largely due to the very Ohio administration of the country's affairs bj I Ministers during the past two years, and to the fact that throughout the country there was a widespread feeling that the Reform Party could be trusted to do its duty faithfully and to administer the law impartially and fearlessly and legislate on lines tiiat would ensure' just recognition of <he rights of every citizen. The executive also recognised • that the country had gained immensely by the change of Government. It ill-! tended to circulate throughout the com etitueneies the special number of the fie-: " form League journal, Light and Liberty* which covers the wi.rk of the "Reform Government during i;s tenure of office, Congratulatory references were made to the honor recently conferred on Mi'j Massey by .the King, and regret expressed at the deaths of Sir William Russell and Colonel BloomSeld, and the retire-", ment from the executive of Mr. E. Huie (ChriHtchure.li) and Mr. E. H. William* (Napier). The executive strongly itn* pressed upon delegates and supporters of the party generally that there was t£ stiff fight in front. A movement ha; evidently been begun and apparently consummated^to bring about a working agreement -%nd practical alliance between the Liberals and the Red FedS. The Opposition Party in Parliament was apparently prepared to proceed to any extreme in the attempt to oust the Re<t form Government. Arrangements be-: tween the Liberals and the Red Fed< were a distinct menace to good governs ment, and could only end in disaster to the country. The country had to choose between a Btrong Government under Mr. Massey, which was not afraid to speak its mind and .preserve order in timeS of national peril, and ah administratioil that would foe dominated by political extremists, who desired to destroy the existing constitution in order that they may inaugurate the socialistic state, The report continues:— * "There is much in our favor, bufi there is also much against us. A mover ment has evidently been begun, and apparently consummated, to bring nboufi a working agreement and practical alliance between the Liberals and the Red Feds with a view towards capturing the Reform citadel next December. Although Mr. WeW>, like other of his Red Fed associates, declares that he has even le&j faith in the Liberals than 111 the Reformers, and that he would cheerfully join in a vote of no-confidence in Sir Joseph Ward, the fact remains that the Liberals are acting upon the advic# tendered them by Mr. W. T. Mills at the Lyttelton by-election last December. While working for their funeral, tli.ey are prepared to support Red Fed candidates where ■seats are held by the latteT, or where it is thought tliley command a majority which would be split I in favor of Reform if a Liberal candidate stands. In return, the Liberals expect to secure the support of the Red l r eds where Liberal candidates have thd 1 better prospect of winning the seats." [ Remits were adopted favoring the secret ballot for Maori elections, and Government action to assist the natives ■ ts follow farming pursuits l to full adi ■ vantage. ' At the afternoon sitting of the Reform League Conference questions rclat- ' ing to organisation occupied attention. , Among the motions adopted was one recommending •provision for equal repre--1 Mutation of men and women at the gen--1 eral conference. The election of the ' officers will take place to--1 morrow.