THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1911. THE DUTY OF THE LIBERALS.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13286, 11 December 1911, Page 2

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1911. THE DUTY OF THE LIBERALS.

| Every elector in the Nelsou constituency professing Liberal convictions is this week in a position to rentier signal service to the Party, and the opportunity will, wo are sure, be welcomed by the great majority. Mr Moffatt'.s chances may justly be said to be daily improving. Tho "Liberal rally" held on Saturday night, though convened at very short notice, was both largely attended and enthusiastic, and in the remarks of all the speakers there- was a riiig of determination which should prove inspiring to tho active workers in the country districts. An energetic campaign has been planned for the fe\r days intcrvoning before the second ballot, arid we confidently anticipate that when tho numbers go up on Thursday evening it will bo found that Nelson has onco again declared its confidence in "progressive Liberalism. In Mr Mcf■fatt his supporters and friends have a candidate who has proved his ability to conduct a strenuous campaign with befitting dignity, and though in? .stands as an Independent Liberal his utterances show him to be first and foremost a Liberal. Ho has a habit of .speaking out with clearness and conviction tho belief that is: in him, and his frankness on the party question is in consonance with the general ingenuousness of his attitude. lie has, as he has frequently told us, no faith in tho ability of the Conservatives to guide the destinies of this country and achieve the results vhie'i stand to the credit of Liberalism. Ho reserves a certain measure of indt'pjndency, and as he explains, thera aro

(Hants on which ho does not see eye to eye with the present Administration. But when it comes to n matter which nii^lit cndnngcr tho prestige of the Liberal Party, Mr Moffntt leaves u.s in no doubt as to what his attitude would bo. We know, ns ho declared on Friday night in his speech at tho Olympia Rink, the flag lie is fighting under nnd that if he ivore returned to Parliament and his vote were required to assist ihc Liberals against the Opposition, it could be relied upon. Mr Moffatt does not seekto keep the electors in ignorance of the intentions with which ho would go as their representative to Parnument, but he has unreservedly given them his confidence, ::rd in tho present circumstances it is doubly necessary that there should be a dear understanding between elector and candidate at the second ballot. We urge Liberal electors in the constituency to make tho most of tbe short time available before tho second ballot to ensure the return of the candidate upon whom they can roly to defend the eaui'3 they have at heart.