FINAL WORDS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 70, 16 December 1919, Page 10

FINAL WORDS

THE PRIME MINISTER'S - MANIFESTO

By Telegraph—Press Association. Napier, December 15. TO TITR ELECTORS OF NEW ZEALAND.- ) On the eve of an election in which you are called upon to decide tho most imnortant issues ever placed before die electors of litis country it is my duly and privilege as Prime Minister of the Dominion to remind you of the grave responsibility that decision entails, and to seek from you a renewal of the confidence vou were good enough to bestow upon myself and those associated with me in ISM. Wo have passed through strenuous times since then, and have weathered tho storm, stress, and perils of the Great War. from which we havo emerged in triumph, not without many sacrifices and much sorrow, but with less dislocation to. our national life than possibly any other country that entered the war, nnd certainly with less internal strife or industrial trouble than has been witnessed elsewhere. Next to the patriotic imnulso and devotion of my fellowcitizens. I attribute that result to the unity of counsel and effort which was made possible through the coining together of the 1 groat political parties, NewZealand thus presenting a united Irani.- to the world, and.ils public men sinking all nettv differences of opinion to concentrate on the ono supremo object of winnini tho war. In its aftermath the war has left us to face many 'pressing problems which call for attention and solution. ;>ml it is to bo regretted that as a people wo are not facing them in the sauio united fashion that we met and successfully- grappled with the problems presented by tho war itself. It is not through any wish or failure on my part that tho parly barriers whioh were flung down dining tho war have been again erected. I had.ventured to hone that those purely artificial divisions which separate the men who believe in constitutional action, and who loyally support the Stale as an integral part of the British Empire (lo which I feel sure the great majority of New Zealnnders aro proud to belong) had gone once and for all. But since tho parting has come it is necessary Hint I should appeal to tho electors for' the return of the Government of which I am tho chief representative with an even more solid support than it received in 19U. and 1 make that appeal in what I conceive to be the best interests of the country, quite apart from consideration of, party or self. ' ■ . At no time in its history has the Dominion been confronted with greater or graver problems than those which must be settled in the immediate future, nor has there ever been such n well-organised attempt on the part of men professing tho most revolutionary' principles to .capture the government of the country. The danger is that the'factional fighting that is proceeding, between tho Liberal and tho Reform Parties mav result in the return to Parliament of men who by no means represent the true sentiment and patriotic ideals cf the people of New Zealand which were so magnificently demonstrated during the great war. Disclaiming all responsibility for this unfortunate state of affairs, I would remind the electors that the imperative need of the day is a strong, capable, and resolute Government of proved administrative capacity, able and willing to legislate for the good -not of one particular class, but of every class in the community, and to sympathetically and successfully adjust on equitable lines those differences that unfortunately mar the relationship of Capital and Labour and that interfere, with the good feeling that should exist between the workers' and those who undertake their employment.. § The record of the past session alone demonstrates that- the Reform Party, which I have the honour to lead, possesses the necessary capacity to govern tao country on such'lines.' Its record from 1912 to the present time has shown it to be every whit as Liberal in its legislation ns any Government that has preceded it. As a party it has clear-cut ideals •making for sound, progrsssive and stable government. It aims at promoting political unity aild seeks to work iu harmony with all loyal eitizevs,' and thus offers a rallying centre to nll_who are prepared to place the interests of the State above those of party, while it stands inflexibly opposed to the Revolutionary Socialists, who would wantonly destroy the'existing order of society with iio clear idea of what should replace it. The Reform Party is only ton anxious to co-operate with all who are honestly intent upon malting New Zealand and its people contented, happy, and prosperous. To achieve this it recognises that the legitimate aspirations of Labour miist be satisfied, and that the wage-earning 'class mnsToe remunerated on lines making fcr decency and comfort, and housed under improved sanitary and better conditions generally. The strong Government New Zealand needs for this ? purpose can, I submit, 1» best secured on the Reform side of politics. Tho Liberal vote is being everywhere cut into, and must suffer at the hands of- the Labour candidates, of whom Hie greater number belong to the Extreme Revolutionary Class, all but two being tied hand nnd foot to the party machine. They ninke no secret of their intent'on to 'vote a<*iiinst the Gov eminent on a' No-Confidence motion and then to "squeeze the Liberals," should they thus succeed in putting them into power. Under the most favourable circumstances, therefore, the Liberals can only iiope to govern the country with the help of these Extremists, and under .«uch a combination the nation would inevitably suffer. Tho ui'iwst course tho electors can take is, therefore, to strengthen Hie hands of tho Government by returning the Reform candidates who' are standing for election, thus giving it a good solid majority over bath parties in the State. Tho Government stands for:— A policy of sine d'velnnment along sound progressive lines, Economical .administration, Voir play to every section of tho community. Increased educational facilities for the people, A vigorous Public-Works policy, including tho speedier construction of railways. Improved reading facilities, The vigorous prosecution of the hydro-electric schemes, for which it has iaken power to Ivorrow the necessary moneys, Tuiproved_ shipping facilities, both ceastafand overseas. The opening up of new conl mines, Tlra elimination of .the profiteer, Tito isrenter _ encouragement of local industries, including the fruit preserving and fishing industries, CVminrchensivo bousing schemes for all parts of the Dominion, and generally improved employment conditions. It appeals confidently for llio support of every loval citizen in the Stole so that N"w Zenlnml may more efficiently play her'linrt in the great work of industrial reenustriictioij following upon' tho 'repatriation of our gallant-soldier citizens and as an indispensable unit of Hie Empire. W. P. MASSEY. Prime Minister.