PREMIER'S MANIFESTO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 156, 8 December 1914, Page 4

PREMIER'S MANIFESTO.

TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND*

MAINLY ABOUT RED FEDS.

By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The following election manifesto wag issued by the Prime Minister to-night:— "The people have to' choose between a Reform Government and a Ward Gov eminent for probably the next three years. The first important question for thoughtful electors is: Which will be tho stronger, better, and more reliable Gov-

ernment from a national and Imperial viewpoint during this great crisis of ■Empire? People have proof that the Reform Government has conducted the country's business with a clear mind and steady purpose ever since the war began. Tire Opposition agitated for a cessation ' of ordinary legislative procedure—a ■ course which would have disturbed the public mind, but the Government wisely decided to do tho work for which Parliament was appointed. By preparations made in time of peace by the Reform Government, despite the persistent allegations by the Opposition journals that the objective was a "standing army," New Zealand was able to be tho first of the Dominions to send out a fully equipped Expeditionary Force of trained men. This fact, and other facts, show the public that, from a defence viewpoint, New Zealand cannot possibly expect any advantage from a change of Government.

"On the contrary, people have strong reason to fear a distinct disadvantage from a change. According to statements of the Opposition Press, and other unshakeable evidence, the Ward party relies on the aid of the Red Fedcrationista and Social Democrats, who are bitterly hostile (,o the Defence Act. On July 22nd of last year, only a few months after the Waihi strike had revealed the extreme character of the Red Federation, the new Zealand Times, one of the Ward party's principal supporters, declared, editorially. 'Mr. Webb (the Social Democrat candidate for Grey) is something more than a syndicalist. He is president of the Federation of Labor, which aim.-', at the same ultimate political objective as the Liberal party. It may be disposed to make tho pace hotter than Ihe.l.iborah hav* hitherto been prepared to proceed, but what of that so long | as the two parties aro traversing parallel progressive lines? It may be true that the Federation of Labor is working to destroy the Defence system, but it docs not follow that Mr." Webb will destroy it.' The. Lvttelton Timeß stated, in an editorial of July 31st, 1913, that if the Liberals supported Mr. Webb, it was because they knew that nine* i tenths of bis policy was their own. The

MnorilanU Worker stated, on August Ist, 1913: 'Those who voted for the candidate (Mr. Webb) of the Social Democratic party did so knowing that hia color was undiluted Red. They voted for him knowing that he stood for revolutionary Socialism in politics. The Social Democratic party stands first and foremost for the transformation of the capitalist 3tate into the co-operative commonwealth, which Is the Socialist republic.' Yet towards the close of last year's strike, when Eed Federationists and Social Democrats were running Mr, McCombs for the Lyttelton scat, the New Zealand Times stated, on December. 10th: 'The scat must be won by the Federation of Labor. In deciding between the two candidates, the Liberals may be depended on to vote for progress.' The Lyttelton Times, an inveterate supporter of the Ward partv, stated on December 15th, that the platform of the Social Democratic party was 'plainly, based on that of the progressive Lib-' erals.' Electors have also the fact that the Eed Federation, of which the Social Democratic party is known officially as the 'political expression,' is unreconciliably opposed to the Arbitration Act, as well as to the Defence Act.

"The second great question for eleo. tors is: Which will be the better foi our domestic policy? The Reform <3ovcrnment came in for a legacy of financial difficulties from the previous Administration, and there were other troubles for which the new Administration was not responsible, but the Government camfe through the ordeal with credit. That is acknowledged by unbiassed people he» and abroad. In the Departments of Finance, Lands, Agriculture, Railways, the Public Service, social legislation, trade and commerce, Labor, iEducs* tion, and National Defence, exceedingly important reforms beneficial to tha' whole public have been effected. It is truo that additional expenditure has been incurred by more liberal provision for pensions, and by increases of salary, for the Public Service, railway service, teachers, and police, but this has been done without a singlo penny of increase in the rate of taxation of tho general muss of the public. The only increase has been on the comparatively wealthy, chides. Stability for .industries has been assured by the. check given to tha Red Federation, and every man has a right to work in peace, with fair and free opportunities. The Reform policy is on a common-sense basis, to ensure that " good use of the land, with a corresponding increase of national wealth for the benefit of all classes.

"A calm and serious study of the situai tion cannot fail to impress on New Zoex landers the supreme importance of the' national factor in this time of Imperial crisis. This is not the time for the personal element to prevail against iNeW. Zealand's need, which is a Government firm and free to act fox the good of the wholo Dominion and the Empire. Thai Reform Government has proved its ability in times of great difficulty to; legislate and to administer for the bene* fit of all classes. The Reform party has thoroughly earned,.the people's confidence."