The Dominion. MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1912. FIGHTERS FOR REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1510, 5 August 1912, Page 4

The Dominion. MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1912. FIGHTERS FOR REFORM.

The . conference of Reform delegates, who have assembled here from all parts of New Zealand to discuss matters connected with the organisation and work of the Reform League, is the most remarkable event of its kind asaociated with the political history of the Dominion. That something like two hundred men, representing the different Parliamentary constituencies, should bo found ready to lay aside their various occupations for the time being and journey to Wellington at a sacrifice of time and money for the sole purpose of help; ing forward the cause of good government, says much for the enthusiasm that has been generated throughout the country by the great fight for reform. Nothing .approaching it has ever been seen in this country, and it augurs well for the new Government—and for Now Zealand—that it should have behind it so powerful a force of public opinion and so active an organisation working in its interests. No one visiting the school' room in Sydney Street on Saturday last and seeing the conference in session could fail to be impressed with the stamp of men who have been eent hero to represent the various electorates. Farmers, business men, lawyers, journalists, shopkeepers, tradesmenall sections of the community were represented there; all keenly interested in the business before them, and eager to , help along the cause to which they have pledged their political faith. The old lie that the Reform .party is merely representative of the wealthy classes and of an effete Toryism, if it had not already been sufficiently damned by the policy and actions of the new Government, would have been discredited for all time by such a gathering of men as has assembled here to take part in the conference now being held. Perhaps the most satisfactory and the most significant feature of the Reform Conference is the evidence it affords of the recognition by the men who have been fighting for sound and honest government, that there must be no slackening of effort if the full fruits of the victory just gained arc to be reaped. The task ahead of the new Government is in many respects a difficult one, and before it can expect to carry through its reform programme it will have l« fight, and fight hard against the forces-of reaction. There must be no baiting by tlin way—no shuffling behind llu , shelter of "expediency"—and it iswell that the Government rlwuld know that in the ovgnl of au ajjpeaL

to the country at any time proving necessary the men and women who pliicwcl it in oflice are organised as a lighting force, and in a bettor position than evor before to return it triumphant at the pulls. Moreover the activity of the workers in the IMorm League *nroughout the country, cannot (nil to act, as a stimulus on its representatives in Parliament. ■It is a good thing for'members to kuow thai, their constituents are closely watching their actions in Parliament; it keeps them up to the mark. One oE the causes of misgoycrnment' under the Continuous Ministry was the apathy of the public concerning political matters. The country en.TO'etl good seasons, high prices ruled generally for our products, and i the prevailing prosperity people grew indifferent to wasteful administration and the piling up of heavy obligatious, which they realised would have to be met some day, but which tliey did not trouble about very much in the immediate present. IVith a large and active 'political force such as the Reform League interesting itself in public affairs, the electors are not likely to bo allowed to sink back into their old state of lethargy. Although it is a party organisation, the Reform League will serve national interests as well, not merely because the party it supports is pledged to reform, which, if given effect to, must be to the advantage, of the' nation; but also because its activities, if properly directed, must hare a stimulating influence on all sections of the community, and assist to keep the public alive to a propyl sense of their responsibilities as citizens and to their obligations as electors entrusted with tho power to send to Parliament men who can make or mar the future of their country.