THE LIBERAL FEDERATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12391, 28 June 1902, Page 8

THE LIBERAL FEDERATION.

THE APPROACHING ELECTIONS. (From :Ocn Owx CoimzspoxDiWT.) WELLINGTON, June 27. The Post says:—"From different sources we h'.vc recently received copies of an intesting circular, which throws a flood uf ■ 'ight upon the working of the Ministerial i party machine. Tho missive purports to , emanate from the T/iberal Federation of '■ New Zealand, and is signed by one W. J. Culver, secretary. Tho executive officers. whose names are set forth at the herd of the doniment, arc, in addition to this ;eciv-tnry-I'resident, Right Hon. R. J. Scddon, l.t-.. etc.; vice-president, Harold Boauchump, Esq., ,1.P. ; treasurer, lion. V. Jl. inset, M.L.C. The circular itself belong to the begging letter order. Its primary purpose is apparently to rake 'in money for : the Ministerialist campaign during the'coming flections. It also neks for workers in the same cause, and incidentally aims :;t tile compilation of a record of friends of ■ the Administration. After referring to tho illness and death of tho late secretary, this document proceeds to point out the urgent need in which the new secretary stands of ' the practical assistance and co-operation of every sympathiser within the Liberal Federation.' Among tho causes for anxiety j> the absence from the colony of our esteemed and right honourable president; ' but we hope' tho circular continues, 'to show our zeal for the cause by getting our forces into ' order during his absence, so that when '• w> returns in September next lio may be cheered by seeing that we have boen faithful to the trust reposed in us, and that we wo ready for tho fray, awaiting only lua lead. Then follows an a.ppeal 'to our ; friends who can assist us financially,' in tho course of which it is stated that 'as tho time of the election draws near the sinews of war will be more urgently required,' and that ' subscriptions, however small, will he ' gratefully acknowledged, and other tokens of your piactical sympathy will greatly etrensthon Hie hands of tho executive and materially contribute towards our forthcoming victory.' Tho next appeal is 'to our workers, who are told that they will greatly assist the secretary if they will forward to him information as to whether, under tho anspices of tho federation, there is any electoral district branch in their electorate and a polling district branch in their locality, and, such being the caso, if they will send the fullest information as to their condition, officers, etc. Regular meetings of these branches, with an opening, 'social,' are recommended, and special stress is laid upon keeping the rolls up to dale, this being styled a matter of 'extreme importance.' . The. last two words appear in italics. Tho recipients of these circulars arc naively informed by the secretary that 'wo want to help you, and wo want 3'pu to help us'; and they are asked to scud an early reply stating whether they aro to bo 'regarded as i subscribers or workers, This is said to be' 'tho only method by which we cau got in ! touch with our friends in all parts of the colouy and tho information necessary for the successful working of the organisation.". The Post then goes on to mate some very strong commnnts on tho methods that aro being adopted by the federation, i