THE PREMIER'S MANIFESTO.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10496, 6 December 1911, Page 4

THE PREMIER'S MANIFESTO.

Not to he beaten, by the Leader of the Opposition, the Prime Minister has rushed out a manifesto jaig 2-507 words l —over two columns—im which he makes an* almost pathetic appea* to the people of the Dominican, He flushes tiie electors to believe that his party "have stood true to liberal principles, and /tJheir aim has always' been, (national progress, democratic eii'lSghtenmenit, and the fullest possible extension, of personal liberty." This is enough to make the gods weep. But the manifeteto proceeds/ .to- say, "the Goverairmeait is not perfect—no G(ove<rninen.t is l ." Precisely. The Ward ment j® so far from being perfect that tile people are becoming alarmed. Sir Joseph teHls- the electors: "It is for you to, say now' whether you' desire a cmtiniuanoe of a progreisisive and humanitarian Government in this Dominion l , or whether you wish to recall /to- power the party who- were in existence before the democratic afl : aketniaig of 1891." This is a piece of coilos'sal' effrontery <n the part of the Prime Minister. He •wouM like to make ttie people believe that the fight is between! the OonservataveiS' and Democrats. The electors are not to be caught by chiaff of that sort. THie fightt is boitiween ihe progressive Liberafe 1 , led by Mr Massey, and the autocracy created by the Baronet of the Bluff. This is* tlie one anti only issue. The talfe about tihe condiitSons of 1891, is completely played curt. It is too thin. And when &k Joseph Ward, Bart., compares his owm Administration' with that of Mr John. Ballance or Mr Richard Seddon,, he simply trifles with the intelligence of the peoplle.