A REFORM RALLY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14223, 11 December 1911, Page 6

A REFORM RALLY.

The next three days will witness some of tho hardest fighting of tho whole ". election campaign. The ' Government . " Party, terrified at tho prospect of toein** {heir hold over the country's affairs', .ere struggling for their politi- ; col lives, while the Reform Party, \ cheered by their successes last week, aro putting forth all their efforts to _ turn tho pijomiso of victory into an accomplished triumph. Tho latter havo unquestionably not merely tho better cause,, bub tho surer hopoj the flowing tide of discontent with the Government* maladministration, and of de- '• sire for sounder and eafer methods of managing th© affairs of tho Dominion is with tho Reform Party . to-day, as it' has nover been bofore. Nevertheless, it is an occasion for those engaged in the fight putting into it every ounco of strength and determination that they possess The in- j different must be fired with zeal for reform; .the waverers must have their , minds made tip for them by the forcible presentation of cogent arguments. Tho occasion is ono for a '"rally," by which to consolidate the forces of reform, and wo aro delighted that \ each an effort is to be made in Christchurcn to-morrow, when, among other speakers, Mr James Allen, M.P. ' for. Bruce, will deliver two outdoor ad- ] dresses! afc Lower Riccarton and St. Albans Park. Mr Allen is known throughout New Zealand as a tron- . chant and capablo critic of tho Government, especially of its financial and administrative methods. Ai Mr Mas- - eey'e first lieutenant he has for many fc sessions taken a !eadin C part in |F the attack, of tho Government's position; ho. has left many gaping breaches in their defences, and if, as is confidently exported, tho final as- .. saulfc on Thursday, is successful, no small share of the honours of the fight' will belong to him. Political (speakers of his calibre are heard far too seldom ! ; - in Cluistchurch, and we havo no doubt '• ]\ that he will, be able to prove to- .. \, morrow to many who have hitherto sup-.;!■„,-ported the Government that the pro;g^w.ip6tioa : of their interests, and tho do-.

relopmcnt of Now Zealand on safe and prosperous lines defend on the , support they give to Opposition candidates at tho second ballot.