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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3234, 11 November 1881, Page 2

When the Liberal Association announced itself three yeara ago as an organised body we expressed a fear that its pretentious title was but a cloak to cover its real designs. We ventured to think at the time that the Association was but an electioneering committee whose objects were as narrow as any other committee's might be that was formed for no other purpose than the election of some chosen candidate. Tbe leaders of the Association, however, were very wrath at the disparagement of their aims, which were declared to be as lofty and pure as those of the " Heaven- born Statesman " whose stump orations had fired the imaginations of all classes. A meeting was called, officers were appointed, rules drawn up, and membership invited. Tbe articles of the Association were then seen to be liberal enough, embracing as they did broad principles bearing upon general and local government and social reforms. Tbe charge for membership fhto this great and good public body was but one shilling, with sixpence extra for a copy of the rules. Large numbers of persons joined for the purpose nf working out some of the high objects of tbe Association, and it was hoped that the influence they would be able to exert by a union of this sort would have a most beneficial effect on the administration of public affairs. But unfortunately our " croaking prediction " came true. Those who paid their shilling as joining members had seen the last of their money. The Association was allowed to die from inanition, and all but a few chosen worshippers at the altar of Sir George Grey heard no more of the proud asoirations that had inspired them to part with their shillings. Thus ingloriously came to grief an institution that might have been useful for the attainment of other objects besides those relating to politics. But if it be hard to define the position the origiual promoters bear towards the great bulk of the members, it is not difficult to perceive that the only aim of the leaders is an electioneering one, and that they hold no higher position than that of a semi-secret committee for the election of Mr Buchanan. It is not, however, in a committee of that sort where the strength of this electorate is to be found, and in confiding himself solely to the political care of that little ring Mr Buchanan, we fear, may find that he has made a mistake.