LIBERAL PARTY'S CAMPAIGN.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18094, 9 June 1924, Page 8

LIBERAL PARTY'S CAMPAIGN.

MR WILFORD AT PUKEKOHE A LUKEWARM RECEPTION. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRKBS.") AUCKLAND, June 7. In its report of Mr Wilford's meeting at Pukekohe, last evening, the "Herald" says:—

If the meeting was lukewarm, Mr Wilford cannot be blamed. He did his best. He was in characteristic vein, and set out to explain what ho was doing at Pukekohe. He offered to tell the audience in confidence, and, not waiting for their pledge, explained that "as Mr Massey made two calls to my electorate, I thought I was in honour bound to i-eturn the calls." Apparently Pukekohe had made its impression. Mr Wilford told how he had travelled in 23 countries, but never before, outside the Hutt Valley, had he seen such country as that Bpread below Pukekohe Hill.

This flattering opening was followed by a heart-to-heart talk about Nauru phosphates and lime, the farmers being condoled with regarding the prices for top-dressings. From prices to high finance was an easy gradation for the speaker, and ho was soon busy dealing out maledictions to "the vested interests, the backers of Reform." That "financial disaster" was in the offing was only too clear to Mr Wilford. To the cheerful, prosperous audience of farmers who facet! him, he talked of farmers' bankruptciesall due to lack of capital. The"money' that would have saved these men had been spirited out of the Advances Department by Mr Massey. There was still a matter of £1,160,000 missing. This statement proved too much for a staunch Reformer in the audionce. He denied it, and his faith was so Arm in Mr Massey that he repeated his denial twice to Mr Wilford's reiteration, but Mr Wilford finally discomfited his contradictor by the handy weapon of a glib tongue. "The man on the platform, can only give information," ho said; "he cannot give understanding." Apparently, also, he cannot always carry conviction. The Liberal leader went on to refer to farmers' debts—a matter of fifty million or so. Once more he assumed the role of a prophet of doom. "Tho crash will come if something is not done," he intoned. Something that should be done, it was soon revealed, was to establish a State hank and agricultural banks. These were between them to make the farmer's financial burden light, and ensure his perpetual prosperity. "How the wealthy man evades taxation" was Mr Willford's next revelation, and once more he found a head under which to condemn Mr Massey. "You will notice," he explained, '<that I attack not the Government but Mr Massey, because he is the whole show, and the rest are atmosphere." This remark received the best reception of any during the evening, and Mr Wilford was not Bare if, after all, the applause was meant the way he coufd wish it. He turned to the soldiers' settlement and back again to the ruin which he forsaw would swallow the man on the land. "The man who does not realise that trouble is looming for the producers of this country cannot see before his eyes," exclaimed this new Jeremiah. The remainder of Mr Wilford's speech contained a great dqal about the sins of the Government and the Gvils suffered by the country, but not so'full or clear were the remedies he offered to a country that is, apparently, near financial death.

At the close of the meeting a vote of confidence in Mr Wilford and his party as fit and proper people to govern the country, and continued confidence, in Mr Wilford'as the party leader, was proposed. An amendment was offered, proposing a vote of thanks to Mr Wilford, but affirming the meeting's continued and undiminished confidence in Mr Massey and his Government. The chairman, after some hesitation, and consultation with Mr Wilford, decided to put the motion, declaring that if it were carries the amendment would thereby be defeated, and rice versa. A show of hands was then taken on the motion, which was clearly carried, although a large number voted against it. The meeting closed with cheers for the Liberal Party and counter-cheers for Mr Massey.