THE HON G FOWLDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15923, 8 May 1912, Page 4

THE HON G FOWLDS.

READY FOR THE PLATFORM. AN OPTIMISTIC REFORMER. Mr Fowlds arrived in Lyttelton by the Maori yesterday very well pleased at the prospect of entering the arena onco move. “It will be a kind of a new experience,” he said, “to have something definite and effective to figbfc for.” Mr Fowl cl s recalled the fact that her was going to Dunedin after a considerable lapso of years to address a public meeting. The last occasion when he had done so, was eight or nine years ago, when ho had taken the platform with Mr Laurenson and others in the interests of land reform. Since then he had not been as free an agent as he was now. Mr Fowld3 saitl that his itinerary was not fixed. Ali he knew was that he was to start on a nine days’ campaign, but ho would not know whero he was to speak until ho had met the general secretary of the United Labour Party in Dunedin. Doubtless ho would speak in Christchurch and the other largo centres, and then go on to the North Island. 11 Do you think,” he was asked, “that a Labour Government is possible in New Zealand?” “ Certainly,” ho replied. “ under the United Lnbour Party, which you must recognise has a much wider significance than the representation of manual workers alone. The party will embrace those who are doing useful work of any kind.” _ “ But will these classes own alle - gianoo to a Labour Party?” he was asked. “I think so, certainly,” ho responded. “ What are the prospects of a genera! election this year?” Mr Fowlds was asked. , •. ‘‘ T have never been able,” he replied, “to anticipate sufficient heroism on the part of eighty members of Parliament-.” Mr Fowlds went through to Dunedin by the first express. Ho will probably not return to Christchurch for a week or more. It is understood that Mr Fowlds will address a public meeting in tho Choral Hall on May 21.