THE REFORM PARTY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8186, 30 July 1912, Page 7

THE REFORM PARTY

FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE. INTERVIEW WITH CANTERBURY ORGANISER. SPECIAL' TO THE "TIMS." CHRISTCHURCH. July 23. The arrangements for participation in tho first national conference of th« Reform party are now fairly complete aa far as tho South Island is concerned. Canterbury, Otago, Southland, and the West Const will all be fully represented, and it is confidently expected that the conference will result in a complete system of party organisation for tho whole Dominion.

Mr David , Jones, organiser for the Canterbury branch of the party, returned from tho south on Saturday night after a very successful meeting in Dunedin, and at tho request of a "Press" reporter lie gave an outline of the work that he had been doing during the past two or three weeks. ‘‘When it was decided to hold the conference," said Mr Jones, "branches of tho Reform League had not been definitely established in several important centres of the South Island. Supporters of the party in Dunedin and Invercargill, however, immediately took steps, to rectify this, and I was invited to visit these centres and assist them. During tho whole of my visit in the south I could not help being struck by tho change in the attitude of the people towards the political situation. I found particularly that a number of fanners recognised that the old Liberal party was done with, and they are now quite prepared to give us support. This is going to tell very much in our favour In the event of another election. Another thing that pleased mo was the ii-rge number of young men that are becoming interested in the Reform movement. This was very noticeable at Oamaru and Dunedin. In Southland there is a very strong feeling in favour of tho Reform party. Business men who had previously taken little part: in politics have been encouraged by recent events to hope for a better state of affairs as far as the Government of the country is concerned, and are ready to assist in establishing a strong branch of the Reform party in Invercargill, This branch will comprise the districts of Awarna, Invercargill, and Wallace. I also visited Wyndham and Gore, and met many supporters of tho party. These centres ore in Mr Anderson's district, and will also be represented at the conference." Asked aa to tho scope of Uie conference Hr Jones said t "I understand a great many remits have been sent forward from tho various centres, but I do not think there will be a great deal of time for discussing matters of policy. The main object, after all, is to complete and link np our system of organisation so that we shall have a Dominion executive to supervise and control the activities of tho party throughout the country and organise effectively for contesting elections. Judging from the expressions of opinion I have heard in different parts of tho South Island, I am satisfied that our supporters have every confidence in Mr Massey and are quite willing to leave policy questions to be dealt with by the Government as they arise. What we want is on efficient fighting machine, so that w© can go into an election ns well equipped as our opponents. In spite of all that has been said, that is a thing we have never had before. The defect is going to be remedied if possible.’’