REFORM AGITATORS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8611, 23 December 1913, Page 2

REFORM AGITATORS

To the Editor “N.Z. Times.”

Sir, —in a recent issue of your widely read paper appears Sir J. Q. Ward’s spirited reference to methods employed by his political opponents in their ‘Tight and ilibeitty” attempts to exalt the money-made “Reform” Ministry and decry tho world-famous leader of the Opposition. So far as Sir Joseph is concerned, anyone who knows how seldom great men come :nto the service of any country will regret exceedingly that a man of such proved ability has to devote time to resenting the scurvy methods by which the well-paid creatures of so-called “Reform” influence public opinion. The sting of the whole sordid “Reform” movement lies iu the fact that tho cheap money scheme (which Mr .VLasscy voted against no less than thirty-four times) has been the chief instrument used in crushing tho democratic party. It is hardy necessary to remind your thoughtful readers that the advent of cheap money has, through the rapid growth of community-created land values, poured a veritable river of cold into the pockets of ■ those persons whose chief occupation to-day is to poison our one time healthy public opin.on which whole-heartedly supported the humanitarian legislation of the Liberal-La-bour regime. After the past six months’ work oni tho long-heralded “progressive legislation” of the "Reformers,” the world generally, and tho New Zealand workers particularly, will bo able, without tho aid of “Reform’l agitators or “Reform” newspaper editors, to compare any one of the great Ballanoe-Seddon-VVard legislative measures with the Rhodes-He*dman-Massey “consolidating and amending”, bills of tho session just closed.

There can be no question about the fact that wo are now face to face with a very real and very virulent typo of political bribery and corruption as regards the win-at-any-prico methods of these hole-and-corner “Reform” agitators. It is, of course, impossible for them to win public support by fair fighting. Therefore they resort to foul. These have-my-prioo agitators are apparently to havo the whole run of the Conservative press, the use of countless motor cars, and a warm welcome to every squatter’s fireside, in their determined attempts to undermine our once envied position as a democratic people. Auckland, tho homo of this so-cal! ed “Reform” movement, according to the kindergarten politics of the Simon Pure editor of “Light and Liberty,” : s considering the curtailment of free speech in public places. The success f such “Reform” tactics would suit ho “Reform” agitators to perfection hey have not the moral courage to ■ddress the masses from street platforms. Their vitriolic references to Sir Joseph Ward does its work in the drawing-rooms and “strictly private” l meetings of such organisations as the Women’s Political Reform League. Those “Reform” agitators, in spite ot their nauseating methods of mould mg public opinion, still have the great power of the Conservative purse behind them. If Sir J. G. Ward does not take a distinct step nearer to the banner of our non' hard-pressed democracy, such “patriots” as tho share holders of Tory organs will win all along the line of their attack on the dearly-bought Strongholds of demo crncy.

Wo as a British community love a man and a fighter. Sir Joseph Ward ;s everywhere recognised as a strong man, otherwise such un-British tactics would not ho employed to 'undermine him, and the party ho leads, by the puppets of so-called “Reform.” If only for the sake of our standing in the eyes of the world, Sir Joseph mus: ret back to the tiller of State.—l am, etc.,

ARTHUR HUNTER Mercer, December 20th.