OPPOSITION MANIFESTO.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 293, 9 December 1914, Page 2

OPPOSITION MANIFESTO.

THE LIBERAL PROGRAMME. [Per Poem Amooiation.] Invercargill, December 8. The following manifesto to the electors has been issued by Sir Joseph Ward, leader of the Liberal party:— “The duty devolves upon me as leader of the Liberal party to state the reasons why it is desirable in the general interests of the country that a change of Government should take place. In the first place, the Government does not represent a. majority of the electors. They admittedly attained office on a minority vote. They proclaimed themselves Reformers, anxious only for the welfare of the Dominion and its people, but the ifiask they adopted by making pledges and promises on a number of great issues was too transparent to deceive the mass of the electors. The majority of those pledges have not been carriedout. At the polls the Reform party secured scarcely three-eighths of the votes cast. The will of a large majority of the electors was shown to bo emphatically against the Reformers, and yet for over two and a half years in this democratic country a party that was decisively rejected by the people has held the reins of office. •“It is needless to recall the political intrigue by which this amazing injustice to the expressed will of the democracy was effected.

“Mr Massey promised that the cost of living was to he reduced hy tho beneficent legislation of Reform. It has increased during the. past three years more than ever before. “Taxation was to he substantially reduced. It has not been reduced by a single penny, except in the case of a small section of people who are well enough off to pay income tax.

“Mr Massey promised a scheme of insurance against sickness and unemployment, but since he took office he does not appear to have given the scheme a. second thought. He promised a reform of the economic system in the direction of promoting indus-

trial peace, but, instead of obseiving this promise, he lias imposed upon the workers conditions that have provoked only industrial unrest. “He promised a ‘square deal all round,’ especially to labor. What labor legislation has he placed on the Statute Book during the last three years? The only progressive measure seeking to benefit the workers was introduced by a private member, not by the Government, and was ruthlessly killed by Mr Massey’s nominees in the Legislative Council. His profession of solicitude for Labor can no longer deceive anyone.

“The Reform Government promised the promotion of closer settlement by providing land for willing, capable men without means, in respect to both Grown and Native lands,' but the legislation and administration have unjustly favored the wealthier to the disadvatage of the poorer settler. “ ‘Reform’ promised the extirpation of the political patronage it charged against my colleagues and myself, but never before has political patronage been so flagrant and persistent as at the present tiihe. These are matters of common knowledge, and need no recital here.

“The ‘square deal’ has been a wretched pretence for the strong, selfreliant administration the country was promised. There have been substituted vacillation and inaction on great issues vitally affecting the masses. This young country can afford to be progressive. It lias inexhaustible resources *and' a virile, intelligent, industrious people, eager for the promotion of the welfare of the spirit of the people, calls for progress, courage, initiative, and scrupulous fairness, without which no real social progress is possible. “I ask you to review the record of the Liberal party in legislation and administration during its twenty-one years of office, and to compare it with the record of the last two and a half years. Then recall who in the past have beeft the obstinate opponents of progress in this country. The Conservative party opposed and voted against important measures which were designed to help - the aged, the landless, the farmers, and the workers. Amongst measures they opposed were the Old-age Pensions scheme, Land for Settlements Act, Advances to Settlers Act, Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and the compulsory ac. quisition of landed estate, and State fire insurance. Indeed, practically all the advanced measures they are now administering were strongly opposed’and condemned by them, while in many instances failure was predict, ed for them. “Their attitude on the naval question, advocating a local navy as against an Empire navy, is one to which I feel sure the bulk of the people of the Dominion was opposed. The Dreadnought was a free and unconditional gift to the British Government, yet the Reform party deliberately state it was a condition that the gift battleship was to remain in the Pacific. This is absolutely contrary to fact. They profess to give [as a. reason for their advocacy of a local navy the fact that the H.M.S. New Zealand was sent to the North Sea, where she has already done magnificent service for the Empire. The First Lord of the Admiralty publicly declared in the House of Commons for one Empire navy, and against a local, yet the Reform Government, ' with fatuous indifference, persist in supporting a local navy, with the enormous burden of extra taxation it must impose on the ratepayers of this young country. It is surely akin to madness, remembering the public works, running into many millions, which are still necessary for the reasonable requirements of the Dominion.

“The financial position as disclosed by the Government is alarming. The ordinary expenditure in two years has increased by nearly two millions per annum. In the same period the surplus has fallen from £BOO,OOO to £326,. 000. There is an inflated public buildings vote of £1,400.000 in two years, and to provide for this unparalleled I and unnecessary sum the financial requirements, both for railway construction and roads and bridges, have been woefully restricted. Advances to settlers, workers, and local bodies have also been curtailed, and great inconvenience caused all over the country hy the erratic and reduced payments made hy this department. “Land settlement lias been redueeit, and so also lias Native lands, settle-

ment, while land syndicalists, who have purchased considerable areas of Native lands for speculative purposes, are in active and aggressive evidence. “Two systems have been applied to the Public Service, one large section remaining under the Government control, and another large section entirely under the dominance, of the Public Service Commissioners, and beyond the control of either the people or Parliament. Both systems cannot be right. “I affirm my strong belief in State control of all the great public services. There are many important administrative acts on the part of the Government that one could, on strong grounds, adversely comment upon. 1 must, however, avoid details. “I make no remark on anything connected with war administration of the Government. The time for this will come after the war is, over. In the meantime the Liberals have sunk all party differences on this great question, on which all parties should be united in action and assistance until the Empire.has, with her Allies, won, | and is on top.

“The Liberals, who established universal military training, gave a Dreadnought, appointed General Godley, established preferential trade with Great Britain, and brought Lord Kitchener to New Zealand to give the Government and the people the benefit of his experience and knowledge, may be relied on to maintain that marked and unswerving loyalty, patriotism, and assistance to the proud old flag that fortunately all sections of the community are united in doing. “As showing the weakness of his position, Mr Massey’s last cry is “Red Fed.” Yet, unquestionably, he publicly supported them in the last election. His purpose is to create a feeling of insecurity. On the one hand, we have the extreme Conservative, the element that dominates the Reform party, seeking to set the rest of the community against Labor, on the plea that giving Labor a voice in politics means anarchy. On the other hand we have militant Labor, seeking to cteate the impression that the employer and 'the capitalist are the enemies of Labor. Liberalism, on the contrary, seeks the common good of all classes in the community. It realises that the first essential to progress is the maintenance of law ■ and order; that the more advanced our state of civilisation is, the more desirable it becomes that we should maintain the laws which enable that civilisation to be upheld. On the one hand, it is not to be bought by the gold of the Conservative reactionary, and, on the other, it is not going to be dictated to by any lawless section of the community. The extreme sections seek to embitter class against class. The Liberals seek to reconcile all classes, realising that it is by all pulling together, if the rules are fair, that the best return can bo secured for each individual.

“In brief, the Liberals stand for justice, law, order, and progress. Remember that tho opponents of the Lioeral party are now in office, with hearts unchanged, whatever their prolessions may be. It is for the electors to decide whether the ‘Reformers’ shall remain in power to retard and strangle the progress of this young country, or whether the Liberals shall again have charge of the Dominion’s affairs, to promote the economic social measures they have laid before them during this election campaign. 1 have little doubt of your decision, and this last word is merely to remind you all of the great issues at stake. Three years ago the Liberal party fought a fair fight with clean hands. It has nothing to hide, and nothing to disguise. ArrayeO against it are all the weapons and every influence wealth and social position can command. It is on your sense of fair play no less than on your sense of right and justice that 1 rely for a verdict on Thursday next that will make for sane and progressive legislation, prudent and vigorous administration, and for the permanent welfare of New Zealand, and the happiness and prosperity of every section of its people.” •• —'<■** frr *■