THE FINAL ARBITER

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 69, 1 November 1928, Page 3

THE FINAL ARBITER

“For seventeen years there lias been , behind the Reform Party a powerful ' and sinister influence.” declared Mr R. B. Spiers, United Party candidate for Auckland West in an address at Ton son by. “I belie ve that that influence lias been responsible for the whole system of government. by Or-deirdin-Coiunclft.’’ The (candidate addl'd : “That influence is representative of no constituency and responsible to no authority, yet that inflnc♦nco is the final arbiter of the destinies of this country, the power behind the throne.” A voice; Sir Francis Bell. Mr Spiers. “I am not dealing m personalities. Yes, Sir Francis Bell holds no authority, yet lie is the final arbiter. L believe he was responsible ] for the introduction and maintenance of Government by Order-in-Council. A Minister should he responsible toi > the House of Representatives and members to their constituents. That .is the democratic system, but it has been (flouted.” In picturesque jind fluent phrases Mr Spiers recited the “sins” of the Reform Administration. '“The fabric that is being built ‘into our national edifice is not worthy of tip people of New Zealand,” he declared. “The fabric that has been ibuilt into it in the last ten years is, 1 in my judgment, the least worthy in the short century of our history. There is one thjng we can do. We

oiin change the builders and get new architects in command.