THE LIBERAL PARTY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17950, 18 November 1918, Page 4

THE LIBERAL PARTY.

PROPOSAL TO UNITE WITH REFORM PARTY. OPPOSED BY MR. 11. G- ELL, M.PDiscussing tho proposal to unite the Liberal and Reform Parties, Mr 11. GEll, M.P., stated on Saturday that ho would oppose union with the Reform Party or any other party. He expressed a belief that Jiis view was shared by the great majority of Liberal members in Parliament. “Tho fusion,” lie said, “ would he an irretrievable mistake. It would bo an injustice to the long line of electors who have loyally supported the splendid reforms advocated itv the Liberal Party from Sir Georgo Grey's campaign in 1877 to recent times. Sir George Grey's speeches show that lie laid down many principles for reform in tho conditions of tho people. Hue of his earliest declarations was for a free breakfast table. The I liberal Party made it free. Fir George Grey, in his first tariff, placed several articles of food on the free list. In 1900 Mr Srddon relieved tho Customs to the extent of £157,000 in that year, and, of course, to a greater extent in later years. In 1907 Sir Joseph Ward, as leader of tho Liberal Party, lightened the impost, on necessaries to the extent of £400,000. Extensions of the parliamentary franchise and tho local franchise, the establishment, of State Departments, old age pensions, widows’ pensions, and general legislation to improve workers’ conditions are on the list of reforms which the Liberal Party, helped by the votes of the workers, has brought about. Tho Liberal Party from tho time it set out on the road of reform was allied to the Radicals. During the war I supported the National Government. I felt that the Liberal members should sink political differences in order to make a united country in time of noril: but I now think that, as the war is over, the Libera! .Party has a right to ask the electors of New Zealand, to allow it to continue its work as n distinct political party. I shall strongly resist an effort to unite it to the Reform Party.”