REFORM & PROGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1309, 12 December 1911, Page 4

REFORM & PROGRESS.

A AIANIFESTO. A CLEAR STRAIGHTFORWARD PROGRAMME. APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE. !By Tclegraph-Proßs A63ocialion,) Auckland, December 11. The Trader of the Reform party (Mr. Massey) has issued the following manifesto to the electors of New Zealand:—

"In the interest of good government in Now Zealand, I nsk you to support the Heform parly's candidates at tho (-econd biillut. U is necessary that ndminihtratlvo affairs should \k thoroughly investigated and renovated. A policy" of drift hns been followed too loni?. Tho Koforni p.irty oilers you n clear, straightfonvnrd programme, a policy of progress nud di--yelopmciit, with wider opportunity for all forms of industrial activity. The Goveminent has offered you nothing but vague, promises, and hns gone to the country relying upon n campaign of misrepresentation of the Opposition that ha« ewvod you fnithfiilly and well. "The splendid testimony nctorded the Jioform party by its victory on the first ballot is evidence of awakened interest in political affairs, and I trust, llnif: the electors desirous of reform will rally to the call, and work whole-lienrledlr in the best and truest interests of the Dominion. "1 lie Heform pnrly is united and strong. It comes bciorc you with every confidence, secure in the consciousness »"f honest endeavour and unswerving devoJioii lo public duly. It is ready lo ro--Imm the fiunucial administration of the country, proceed with a sound and sensible policy of land sotllcmont and development, place the control of the grunt Civil Service upon a proper mi. iniiiistrative basis, and make tho Legislative Council a body representative of Iho people inslead of a political refuge lor i,.-i»nl»d candidates nnd nominees of the i'r.me Minister.

It would completely reform Ike management of your railways and or your public works, and abolish (hat •Tslcm ol Parliamentary doles that leads to waste, extravagance, and all kind' of abuses. It would give you a wider and j-oumlcr local government system, it would open up tho country, and it would deal with social questions on broad and immune lines.

. "Jl 10 . H.d'orin Parly is not afraid to institute legislation on a bold and progressive plan. Dissension and oppofiu" iactious in the Government parrr hare led only to sUgnation and to wild and extravagant borrowing, to frenzied attempts to retire votes by the use of the Public Works Fund, and to a hopeless Uliglo in all tho administrative Depart-

lhe Government has nothing to offer tho country. Head betweeu tho lines of its bluster and soo there the craven fear of an effete political party, divided and tottering to its fall. "Are you content to let the affairs of your country drift aimlessly backwards and forwards in it back-ivash of political clinoj or will you placo them in the hands ot tho liolorm party, which is not hobbled and jiaiidicaiipcd by quarrelling factions, nut is united in the one.clean, efficient and progressive policy. "I aslc you to consider these matters well and by your votes to «,y that vou aro finished once nnd for all with a (joy. fi-nniont Hint has neglected its dutv, flouted tho will of tho people, forgotten nil sense of stewardship, and l)on ; ha* notinng to offer you but emptv promises 1 .;,m ,vo « Id i.' M ,ost s ' Bl,t of a ,vcok "«"*. lne Jicform party includes many able men, who hnvo records of long and faithlul jiublic service, men who arc true representatives of tho people, and who hnvo tin. interest of the people nt heart men ttbk' and ready lo administer vour public services, develop your countrv industnnlly and socially, and to see "that your hearths jind homes are protected by tho strongest and most efficient svstoin ot defeuoe. You can have every confident in plneing your estate and yonr publir aUnirs in their stewardship."