LIBERALISM REVIVES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16826, 13 December 1928, Page 7

LIBERALISM REVIVES

1890 CALL REPEATED A JUBILANT GATHERING TRIBUTES TO OLD 1.1-ADF.RS. (Special to the Herald.) WELLINGTON, this day. Liberalism re-emerging with a policy of progress was the theme- prominent in a speech' by Sir Apirana Ngata, at a dinner tendered by the I'nited Party to its leader, Sir Joseph Ward, last night. He aroused enthusiasm by his eloquent reference to the Liberal giants of the past, Ballance, Seddon, John MacKenzie and Ward. In proposing the toast of the guest of the evening, Sir Apirana Ngata said his mind travelled back to 38 years ago, when he had just matriculated at college and Mr. Ballance came into power. Ibere were four names bruited about at that time, aud one was Sir Joseph Ward's. There was a good deal in a name, and "the fact that Sir Joseph Ward's name was cm top of the banner under which the United Party fought the last election was a great inspiration. The speaker said he could rank himself amongst the rearguard of the old Liberal Party, because he was one of the young men who heard his elders in tfie backblocks of the East Coast mention the names of Ballance, Sedclon, McKenzie and Ward. New Zealand in thone clays required men. Perhaps they were rough and uncouth, but they had the boldness and the courage to say: "These are the things we want, and the things we wish to adopt." This was the type of man who came into power in 1891, and the guest of honor was the last of four great men at their head, and who, for good or ill, swayed the destinies of New Zealand for the 20 years from 1891 till 1911, and another name which also stood high was that of Sir James Carroll. (Applause.) A GREAT RETURN.

> "The last of that team," continued Sir Apirana, "has performed a most wonderful feat in coming back at- the head of a party and creeping again into the hearts of people. This is not wonderful, because we tiave arrived again in New Zealand at the stage when there is another band of young men wishing to take another step forward. This is not a time to say "We must play safe," because New Zealand again insistently demands that the same problems which confronted us in 1891 must be solved by the same type of men. '"lt struck me at the United Party Conference that they were the same type—though a little smoother in contour, a little more civilised, and cap- . able of wearing their clothes better —bub they were the same type as those who nude the forward move in 1890, and we have the miracle that a man who came forward then is at the head of the same movement to-day. (Applause.) I hope that Sir Joseph Ward will be spared for a good many years to give voice, and with his experience, to give shape to the unuttered longings of the youth of New Zealand represented in the younger members of the United Party." GREAT LIBERALS OF THE PAST Sir Joseph Ward, in his reply, referred to the fact that there were difficulties ahead which he would explain to Parliament, and the party lie bad the honor to lead would have to bo fearless in carrying out what it conceived to be its duty to the people of New Zealand. No man had greater confidence in the future than; himself It would be impossible to conceive sucb a country being on the downward grade He remembered early in his career meet ing at Te Aute a young man, an active figure who was destined to fill an honorable pluce in Parliament representing his people. This was Sir Apirana Ngata, had referred so eloquently to his «M friends, Seddon, Ballance, John McKeniie, and Carroll. He had the wannest affection for Ballance, one of the finest characters «sv.er seen ,in Parliament. He was a man of Uroatl views, high ideals, and a courageous man. No words of his could adequately partray the character of Seddon. Until one got into very close, dissociation with Seddon it was impossible to realise the immense power of the man. He \fcas a very lovable man, who did a good deal in his day to lay the foundations of this country. His old friend, John McKenzie, was 1 a feairjess fighter ;who always drew the claymore immediately he came into ' contact with his opponents. He worked for the great land policy for which he. never got fall credit. Few people ■understood with what wonderful courage he fought those who believed his Sdicy was mimical to their class. John cKenzie's 'name would go down in history as a great land reformer. Hi could not forget Sir James Carroll, who never said an unkind word of anyone. These were the names of old Liberals., Their* deeds and memories would continue in the minds of everyone as men who in their day worked for their country. The bulk of thft United Party comprised. men who were in political life, for the»first time, but there were Borne who had* been Liberals for 30 years. They had broad recognition of their duty" to help, those who could not properly help themselves. It would be his duty to cooperate with every member of the party to this end. Mr. T. M. Wilford linked up the past fortunes of Liberalism with its present success by a charming story of his experience in Wanganui, whither he went to see his mother after the general electior. He found there a basket of flowers sent with the compliments and congratulations of Mrs. Ballance, widow of the former Liberal Prime Minister.