THE "LIBERAL" PARTY

Press, Volume L, Issue 15111, 29 October 1914, Page 10

THE "LIBERAL" PARTY

xo inr. EDrow or "the tress." Sir.—Tin.' Opposition newspapers aro advising tiioir readers to change the iiien who arc in power at the present time and put in those- vrho will direct 7ho interests of New Zealand on safer mid better lines. What is the valuo of this advice? The character and ability of the present Ministry is challenged by its opponents, who. by innuontlo and suggestion, try to discount 2>lr Masscy- and his party. It is not stated who arc to take the place of •ho Massoy Ministry. Will the Liberals fill the bill? Let u s analyse this party, and consider if they are a desirable lot. .Sir Joseph Ward has been tested as their leader and proved to be such a failnrc that his ujvn party demanded his resignation. When they found that they could not.<li> without him they crawled and cringed towards him. and then re-elected him again as their leader. If over there was presented a spectacle calculated to evoke the coniempt of a people it was tho way Sir Joseph was treated by tho Liberals, who. instead of surrendering when beaten, jettisoned their leader, and by .so doing wcro ablo to hold power for a few months longer. When eventually beaten by Mr Massey, they, with faces of brass, approached Sir Joseph Ward ami reappointed him leader. lie- a. jrood loader even of a discredited party?" Emphatically no> Sir Joseph has "many personal qualities which one admires, but he suffers from disabilities which will for the futnro of his life keep him from again leading men .successfully. Sir Joseph is too touchy —lus composition and his General makeup denote great vanity. This is proved by lite first personal pronoun which is so much in evidence in all his speeches. Ho is always making personal application of all criticisms which aro levelled against his party, not being able to differentiate between principles and the personal. Mr G. W. Russell has been making a bold bid for tho. leaders'-.ip should it bo possible. This uentlem.xn is the most valuable asset that the itefbrra Party have in the country. The thought'of "Ricketty" ever being Premier of this fair land will make numbers of tho Liberals'vote for the Reform candidate in any constituency. Thecomin" election, "however, will prove his Waterloo, and he will never bo tailed upon to govern. One of the most capable, if not the most capable, of tho Liberals, is Mr Vfilforcl. If this gentleman had any seriousness in his composition, ho would bo a most valuable legislator. Nature has endowed him with gifts and talents, hut these are atrophying from lack of uso. Depending on his smartness, he has not settled down to study, and thus fit himself for greater responsibilities.. Until ho takes life more seriously, ho cannot, expect to hold tho high position which Mature intended ho should hold. In passing, it may be .stated that his abilities make him feared by tho nondescripts of his own party. Mr George Witty is another aspirant for office in any future Liberal Ministry that is to bo formed. .mis gentleman has talked incessantly all , through tho session. As to tho value of tins talk, thcro is no divided opinion amort rr tho hearers. No "one claims that Mr Witty has .ability. Hofch in ami out of the House he indulges in an incessant chatter, and when addressing iiis constituents, may be likened to a ."LCarruious old lady who does nothing but scold.

Mr Harry Atmore is another Liberal .-titer Cabinet honours. Will tho i>ew Zealand people prefer such a <ientlenian to a;iy of the Dresent Ministry? Is tl<c>. member for Christchurch South '.Mr IT. 0. .fciiu so al>!p that he should U> included in any Ministry-that is to bo formed in the future? Will tho public prefer Mi L. 31. lsitt as Ministor of the Crown {o any of those who hold offif? nr tho present time? Does tho assurance of Mr uoorpe Forbes instii'v him bom.i: inclndod in any Ministry? And, lastly, are we to haveinflicted on n> that blithering Scotchman. MY MrCalhnii. the member for Wninm? Tiso Liberals, such .'v Messrs Cvaiqio. of Timnni. Sidcy. of Dnnedin. and Myers, of Auckland. .vor.Vl not havo :i Vh.inpp in any Ministry former! by tho blatant section of tho party. So have +bo public be—>iip ci tho rontirmnd mud-throwing :>t tho Kerorm Pm-f-v. t'-nt. mmiy -n-lio in t]io p?<-i have voted Liberal '-will at tno coding election, voto Itelonn - lonr?. etc.. n . . n SEARCHLIGHT. October 2?ih.