THE LIBERAL PARTY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15861, 26 February 1912, Page 8

THE LIBERAL PARTY.

TO THE EDITOR. Si r __Now, when the great Liberal Party is reduced to something in tho nature of chaos, the question is. where is it to look for its new leader. Various names are spokon of, but methinks most eyes will turn to the member for Avon, Mr Russell. It is now nineteen years since that gentleman first took his scat in Parliament, and although 'he has not been in the House all that time, lie had the advantage of studying closely Mr Seddon's methods arid is doubtless familiar with tho means by which Mr Seddon retained his hold of the country. Mr Russell has been tried as an administrator and financier, as witness Canterbury College Board of Governors. As a platform speaker he has no superior in New Zealand. He possesses tact, ability, and what the late Mr T. E. Taylor described as a masterful disposition. As a Liberal he has never budged one inch from the declarations of his earlier career, nor cast a vote that was against either Liberalism or Labour. No other man in the party possesses the same all-round qualifications, and I shall bo surprised if his claims to tho leadership are not recognised. It is known that the Liberal Party lost a number of seats for want of organisation; it is equally well known that two years before tlie election Mr Russell warned the party leaders that want of organisation and union was the great danger they had to face. With a keen, alert man like Mr Russell as "chief, there would be no need to fear such a danger as want of organisation. He is too much a business man for that. He may have his weaknesses and not be a personally popular man with some members of the Liberal Party, but this is a time when all such feelings should be laid aside and the best, strongest and ablest man secured. —I am, etc., LIBERAL.