THE TARANAKI SEAL

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1922, Page 6

THE TARANAKI SEAL

THE TARANAKI SEA’x. . REFORM CANDIDATE CHOSEN. MR. C. E. BELLRINGER AGREES TO SUPPORT MR. MASSEY. Signs of election year have not been wanting in many parts of the Dominion lately, and interest in the polls at the end of the year is now being aroused in Taranaki, y A meeting indicative of political activity in the Taranaki electorate took place in Che Soldiers’ Club at New Plymouth yesterday, when a gathering of supporters of the Reform Party asked Mr. C. E. Bellringer, of New Plymouth, to accept nomination on behalf of the party. There was an attendance of about thirty, and Mr. Washer, who presided, said he had received" apologies from a number of settlers who were unable to attend, but who had promised their help. In introducing the business of the meeting, Mr. Washer said the executive of the Reform Party had had a lot of trouble with several of the supposed candidates who had come forward, but the number had been reduced to one, whose name was being submitted to the meeting, namely, Mr. Bellringer. Mr. Bellringer had been a member of a number of local bodies. Mr. Washer said he had been associated with Mr. Bellringer on one body, the Taranaki War Relief Association, and both the members and the returned soldiers were indebted to Mr. Bellringer for his counsel and advice. i The chairman impressed upon those present that though all had little differences the Reform Party wished every member to support the nominated candidate; that was Mr. Massey’s wish and also what the executive desired to see. Mr. Washer then moved a motion asking Mr. Bellringer to become the party’s candidate. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. 0. Taylor, who said he was prepared to do what he could on behalf of Mr. Bellringer’s candidature. Cn the whole he did not believe that from the men offerin? there was a stronger man than Mr. Bellringer. He only hoped, however, that he would leave “Pussyfoot” Johnston alone. (Laughter.) “This prohibition question is one for the public,” added Mr. Taylor. However, he was satisfied to see the candidate support Mr. Massey, and added that Mr. Bellringer was a highly respected citizen. Mr. C. E. Baker expressed the hope that Mr. Bellringer would come forward and carry the colors of the party to victory. “We have every confidence m 1 your sound judgment and honest desire to do what is best, not only for the town, which I hope you will represent, but for the Dominion as a whole,” he said, in addressing Mr. Bellringer. “We feel sure you will not be biassed by any side winds, nor will you be dictated to by any party caucus, but wall bring an independent judgment on the questions submitted to you.” Mr. Baker referred to their experience of Mr. Bellringer as a representative on the Harbor Board ! and other bodies, from which they knew i they would have a man who was straight and fair. There was no ques- ■ tion about it that it would be a fight, ; and it was no sinecure they were askling him to accept. | The motion was then put and carried : unanimously.

In replying, Mr. Bellringer said he felt that before he gave any promise he should put the position as it appealed to him. “This is not of my seeking, and I did not intend to be a candidate at the election,” said Mr. Bellringer. Proceeding, he said he had been approached by the representatives of the Reform Party executive and by others, and, after very careful thought, was prepared to accede to their desires if they were of the same opinion after hearing his views. He had been informed that it was the unanimous desire of the executive that he should be the candidate.

He believed that at the present time they should sink minor party differences and combine for the preservation of the integrity and unity of the Empire. He had always been and still was, a Liberal, and he believed that they were all Liberals, for the old Conservative party had gone. Mr. Massey was quite as good, if not a better Liberal than Mr. Wilford, and it really became a question of the man. One had to. consider who was the best man to resist the forces that were directed at upsetting the British Empire at the present time. The awful war they had gone through was aimed firstly' at the British Empire, which had stood by the treaty with Belgium. He believed the same forces that were behind the war were now by’ other means seeking to accomplish outside what they could not do before. In standing for English principles he had to consider who could best meet the attacking forces that were seeking to destroy the integrity of the Empire, and he had come to the conclusion that, as far as New Zealand was concerned, Mr. Massey was the man.

They would have a difficult battle to fight. He was out against anything that meant disloyalty to the throne or that had as its object the disintegration of the Empire. Therefore, he had come to his decision simply as a matter of duty, and not because he had sought the nomination. He would have been as big a shirker as the fellow who did no go to the war if he did not do what he considered his duty at the present time. Therefore, he placed himself in their hands.

One matter was mentioned, Mr. Bellringer said, which he had not intended to refer to. He believed there was one matter which lay right at the root of the great reform, and one which would make for the efficiency and betterment of the nation. Because he believed this he was not going to retract from his principles. If they expected him to do it thev would have to get some other candidate. In fact, he was going to fight harder than ever. At the same time he recognised that a member of Parliament had had to deal with things from the public standpoint, and, while upholding the principles he believed to be right, he would not introduce them into his election platform. He would not hesitate, however, to go on the public platform when the time was opportune to uphold those principles. With regard to his allegiance to the Reform Party, Mr. Bellringer said he was prepared to support Mr. Massey, but be was not prepared to support the

whole of the policy without investigation. He thought they would all admit there were some things in which mistakes had been made. V oices: U ndoubtedly.

Continuing, Mr. Bellringer said it would be also recognised that everyone made mistakes in private and business life. Mr. Massey had been faced with a very difficult position, and he had tackled it* well. “I must confess,” said Mr. Bellringer, “that Sir Joseph Ward turned very largely in my estimation in drawing out of the work when he should have seen it through to a finish. It was his duty, though there may have been some private inconvenience. Mr. Massey has had to take on himself the burdens and see through the problems which should have been dealt with by the man who had the financial ability. That is my attitude towards the late leader of the Liberal Party. Fdo think that he shirked his duty. “Whatever happens, I shall stand by Mr. Massey; he is the only man who can rally round him a party sufficiently strong to cope with the revolutionary party—for that is what they really are.” Mr. Bellringer said he believed that progress would be made, but it would have to conn by an evolutionary, and not a revolutionary process. To trust to what would come out of the chaos of a revolution was sheer madness. In again stating that he was willing to support Mr. Massey as the leader of the Reform Party, Mr. Bellringer said he believed the result of the coming election would be a national party, taking the best out of all parties, and that they would have a combined New Zealand in fighting those forces which were against the best interests of New Zealand. (Applause.) . The chairman thanked Mr. Bellringer for his explanation, and he said he could say for all present that they would support him as one man, (Applause.) Mr. Bellringer: “I think* I can. say that, with God’s help, we will win the fit After a few further remarks by. Mr. Bellringer the proceedings terminated.