THE REFORM PARTY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10552, 7 February 1912, Page 4

THE REFORM PARTY.

Whilst it is iinfortunate, from a. political point of view, that-Sir .Joseph W'ard did not ,play an important part in the settlement of the tramway strike, it is equally unfortunate that the Reform Party, was not permitted to mediate in the matter. Had Mr Massey been in power, he would probably have offered his advice and as-

sistanco at a much earlier period than did Sir Joseph Ward. But that is another story. Mr John Payne, M.P., of Grey Lynn, thinks that the attitude of supporters of the Reform Party and the "Dominion" newspaper over the strike is sufficient to justify Labour members in breaking their election pledge to vote against the Prime Minister. It may be news to Mr Payne that some of the most bitter opponents of the action "of the tram.waymen in Wellington are supporters of the. Ward Party. The promoters of the Citizens' League wtliich was organised to stand by the Council were Wardites. Almost every Ward newspaper in the Dominion has condemned the action of the tramway-men in unmeasured terms. How Mr Payne, in these circumstances, can find a justification for breaking his election pledge, we are utterly at a loss to know.