THE PRINCIPLE OF LIBERAL-ISM IS "TRUST IN THE PEOPLE."

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVIII, Issue 285, 8 December 1914, Page 2

THE PRINCIPLE OF LIBERAL--ISM IS "TRUST IN THE PEOPLE."

[Published by Arrangement.] *

*ltf OPEN LETTER TO « LIBERAL

ELECTORS FOR WAIRAU.

(By Yeritas),

My Nobld Defenders,— lii congratulating you Oil having -shared the glories of the achievements 'of. tho Liberal pai'ty in the past, I desire tit the same time to thank you most heartily for the splendid services you havo rendered to our fair Dominion through your rontinfted support of the Liberal Party in their endeavor to ..place upon tho Statute Book the- humanitarian measures and far-seeing legislation, 4.h0 benefits- of which are being enjoyed to-day by the. whole of the population of New Zealand; and, jiow, in the fading-hours of the year 1914, wo are again' called upon to give a practical demonstration of our loyalty to the party whose motto is: "Government of the People, by the People, for the People." On this occasion, too, I feel confi--dent that you will again be to the for£, and in doing your utmost to faring about the return of the Liberal Party to power you will contribute in, some appreciable degree towards the betterment of th« conditions of the people; you will share the honor as in the past, and rornain an associate of that grand immortal bulwark, which has prevented the introduction of that tse'fish, inhuman, legislation that has curs*-<l, degraded, and depopulated other Hnds. To those of you who were forced to ■toave the Old Land because of the shameful oppression of Tory Government; to those of you who were evicted and driven from your homes ■ta. satisfy the Tory , landlords' un--qnjmchable thirst for gold; to those -of you who have carefully noted the nan and misery as it follows in the wtfke of Tory admin miration, do I *T)*cially address myself ■and ask your Tr^.ole-henntc'd co-operation and good•vill in the present crisis. You have stood, T 'Wv* say, on the ! .huge dark pier a/;.;] heard the moan■V'X and wailing «;f the thousand ; tenants as fh,?v forced their !

way to join theship that was to.carr them <to far-off foreign ]ands, and a this insult to a people to satisfy th fulfilment of Tory * coercive legisla tion, to satisfy an unholy promis made to tho; Demon of Wealth. " Ii view of these facts you will, I an sure, do all in your power to preven <tne encroachment of Toryism into/th< Parliament of your adopted country, Might I' address a few words, als< to those of you who have benefit©* Kreetly as a result of the legislatioi brought down by the Liberal Party. The Old Age Pensions scheme a4< the advancement of cheap money t< the worker and settler are, perhaps the brightest jewels in the glorioui crown of Liberalism, and how manj electors are there in Marlborough nay, in New. Zealand, who have. nbi obtained direct benefit from thes< grand measures ? In travelling through the country a visitor to New Zealand is ever anxious to inquire how it is that the worker is in possession of euoh charming homes. Th« reply is simple : v he is merely told thjM it is the gift of the Liberal Party, and we never miss thq opportunity tc inform him that, (the Massey Conservative party voted against the Bill on every division during its passage through the House, as they did .'also on the Old Age Pensions Bill. ' Coh : servatism has never catered for the people, and never will.'.- Toryism is unchangeable, arid may be eradicated' only by death, for death in his proud, undisturbed course levels : all ranks, and' lays the . haughty Tbry sid& by side with the honest toiler^ while the urorld look^ on and breathes forgivingly, "may he rest iii peace. V' Yes?i my noble defendei's ;of our cause, it is- our bounden duty . ty> stand and strike For Liberty and Frefer dom. Remember that in this beaivtiful country, ' 'God's Own Country," we are accomplishing much; good, and the eyes of, the whole ■•world' ere upon our Liberal legislators, the whole world, is taking its progressive legislation from; our model, while Mr Asquitlh, Mr Lloyd George, and. Sir Edward Grey are looking anxiously forward to the 10th of December, expecting you^ to perform faithfully, your solemn duty, so that they.may have the ' indispensable services ' and \vise counsel of oui* great Imperialist legislatoi-s at their call in thp present orisis , . ■■ ' .•., ~' ...':'., ~ Of the campaign of calumny waged against you in 1911 I will say nothing, but will merely ask you -tb forgive and forget., We have a precious jewel in Liberalism, a cause worth living for, and worth dying for. Therefore we can afford to "be just and fear not." And in conclusion, I will ask that we immediately arouse ourselves to the sense "of that duty which has been conferred upon us by the cherished traditions of Liberalism, by working diligently in the interests of our Party, _ and by placing National aspirations and love for our country above matters of personal and rtfcercenary. importance we will have nothing to fear, and New Zealand will again be governed by the people. Iho Liberal Party trusts "you, and may you ever continue to participate i m the glorias of its achievements. jSmcerely and fraternally yours . VEiIITAS.