COLONEL BELL AND THE REFORM PARTY.

Northland Age, Volume 25, Issue 27, 22 October 1925, Page 7

COLONEL BELL AND THE REFORM PARTY.

(From the “Waikato Argus” of December 6th, 1911). Hamilton, Dec. sth, 1911. At the request of Mr. Lorie, we publish the question which Colonel Bell refused to answer, and also the amendment, which the chairman refused to read to the meeting:— QUESTION.

You are reported in the Press of last Saturday to have said at your Claudelands meeting that your remarks on the Monarchy had been misconstrued. Seeing that you stated in Hamilton that you believed and hoped that in a very short time Monarchy would go and that we should be living under a Republic, and that you further stated afterwards, at Gordonton, that such were your views, and that you did not hesitate to express them, will you explain how such clear statements could possibly have been misinterpreted especially in view of the fact that when “The Argus,” in a leading article, referred to you holding such republican views, you made no protest, and also in view of the fact that you were so satisfied "’dh “The Argus” report fully letaiiing your republican views that you ordered it to be reprinted; and. further, in face of the fact that long before your Hamilton meeting you stated that you did not believe in Monarchy? AMENDMENT. “That as Colonel Bell, by his deliberately expressed hope for the downfall of our Monarchy has insulted the memories cf our ■ late beloved Monarchs Queen Victoria and King Edward, both of whom are recognised by every right-romcied person in the civilised world as having been models

of what constitutional rulers should be, this meeting desires to express its abhorrence of the republican views voiced by Colonel Bell.” (From “The Waikato Argus,” Tuesday, November 21st, 1911. The people ot New Zealand pride themselves upon being more patriotic and loyal to their King and Constitution than any other branch of the British Empire. They fully recognise that under the British Flag, whether in the Motherlandor any of her offs boo Is a greater degree of freedom is enjoyed than any other people claim or exercise. This being the case, it is a matter for much regret that a candidate forelection to our Parliament should have preached Republicanism from the public platform, as did Lieut.-Col Bell on Thursday last in the Hamilton Hall. Lie was dealing with the Legislative Council, and advocated itsabolition and incidentally remarked that the House of Lords was doomed, and that a Monarchy would soon be replaced by a democratic system, and expressed the hope that both events should occur. For onr part we do not not believe anything of the sort is likely ; the House of Lords will be reconstructed, heredity element very much modified, andits absolute power to veto measures passed by the Commons taken from it.

It will still be gifted with the power to delay but not to finally veto. As to our Upper House we should be sorry to s*e it abolished, but the existing system of appointment by the Prime Minister, is about as bad as any that could be devised by the exercise of much ingenuity. We should not have noticed Col. Bell’s speech until it came under review in the ordinary course of other Parliamentary candidates were it not that there is a danger that it may be taken by outsiders, that the people of New Zealand are disloyal to their King, and favour the propagation of revolution. Col. Bell took his audience by surprise and they failed to grasp the fall meaning of his aspirations and did not dissent. On the contrary a few !

Socialists and disloyal claquers applauded.' Considering the stand Col. Bell has hitherto taken in Imperial and defence questions it is surprising that he should have advocated the abolition of the King aad Governor—the one is the tntular head of the wnole Empire and the other of the division in which he lives andaspires to become one of its rulers. We are confident that a vast majority of the people ot New Zealand have no desire to disintregate the Empire arid set up a vast Republic in its place. Col. Bell has made a mistake. He appears to have allowed his political enthusiasm to obliterate the fact from his mind that he holds the Kin g’s commission, and has sworn to support him on his Throne. The loyal electors of Raglan are not likely to overlook the fact. Electors are always severe on public men guilty of inconsistency. On the I2th inst at Kaitaia Mr. Beil said since he returned from Africa he had done more forlmperialism than most people. The above happened since he same back from Africa.