THE LIBERAL PARTY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 15089, 11 December 1919, Page 9

THE LIBERAL PARTY.

SUCCESS BELIEVED CERTAIN". _____ i SIR JOSEPH WARD'S TOUR. AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. (Special to the Herald.) WAVE'RLEY, this day. That the liberal party will be return.-' ed to power on December 17th is the popular opinion throughout the country. Phis view is based on very eolid foundations — firstly, the realisation by the younger generation that the Liberal party was responsible for the placing on the Statute Book of democratic legislation, notably the Old 1 Ag« Pensions Act, which secured elderly citizens from j want ; the State fire insurance scheme, j wh;ch reduced premiums by 33_ per cent. ; the Advances to Settlers' Act, under the provisions of which £21,000,---000 had been loaned at a nominal rate of interest to people desirous of settling on the land, and the setting up of the Bablic Trust Department, a branch of the public service that has proved possibly the greatest boon to the community the Dominion' has yet known ; and, secondly, the certain knowledge that it is only by having such a Government m power that the country can hope to progress, and so win its way out of the huge indebtedness into which it was thrust by the great war which has just been brought to a successful conclusion. The record of the Liberal party is no doubt responsible for the undoubted belief that irom its ranks just such a Government can be formed, and there has been no hesitancy on the part of citizens of all sections of the community m giving expression to just such an opinion. Everywhere the leader of the Liberal party, Sit Joseph Ward, has been welcomed enthusiastically by large gatherings of citizens. This expression of approval has been so general and so hearty that it is exceedingly doubtful if Sir Joseph has ever previously been more popular. Yesterday, while en roiite from Hastings to Waverley, he was entertained by the president of the Woodville Jdokey Club. After spending about two hours on the racecourse, during which time he renewed acquaintances with many old eupporters, the Liberal leader again started on his journey, but was forced to call a hadt at Wanganui to accept the best wishes of iriany residents. MEMORABLE) MEEfTTNG. Upon arrival at Waverley he was entertained at dinner, and subsequently at supper. The meeting at the Taranaki township was a memorable one. The hall was so over-crowded that the police wen© compelled to close the doors to prevent any more people gaining entrance. As Sir Joseph Ward entered the buil3ing, he was greeted by a salvo of cheers, and as he walked to the stage he was cheered m a most whole-hearted fashion. Indeed, it was several minutes before the expressions of welcome subsided. Sir Joseph delivered a splendid speech, m convincing style, and without any interruption from the audience. There were a few good-humored interruptions, and from these the speaker scored we'll. A vote of thanks to the .speaker and of confidence m the Liberal party and its leader was carried practically unanimously, amidst cheers.