Liberal Campaign

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 289, 9 May 1914, Page 15

Liberal Campaign

MR WILFORD'S OBSERVATION'S. AN 'EXCEEDINGLY BRL.UT OUTLOOK. Christchurch, May C. ■Mr T. M. Willord, who has been campaigning in Taranaki on behalf of the Liberal Party, was in Christchurch today, and a "L.vttelton Times" representative found him to be convinced, as a consequence of his own observations, that the prospects of the Opposition in the -north were exceedingly bright. •'lt wnsmy first visit to Taranaki," said Mr. Wilford in answer to a question, '•ami I confess I was astonished by what I saw and heard in electorates at present represented by 'Reformers.' An invitation bud been sent to me by tke Liberal Leagues which have sprung up all over the province. I went first to Waitotara, where the liveliest interest was taken in my criticism of the discords of the 'Reform' pack. The most significant thing about my meeting was the feeling shown by small landowners against the party now in power. Then at Stratford Mrs. Wilford and I received a great ovation from an audience of over a thousand persons, many of whom had driven or ridden in from way back in order to hear the case for the Liberal party.. The feeling of the meeting was unmistakable. The people were for the party of progress, and the} were keen to begin the.election contest. Strong branches of the Liberal League have now been formed in the most remote corners of the district, while hundreds of willing volunteers are ready to do battle for Liberalism next November. I was particularly impressed during my trip by the number of small farmers who came forward and personally offered their assistance to me. One farmer told me that he had never voted for any but the 'Reform' party in his life, but he had come to the conclusion, that it was not what it bad nromised to be. Ther» was a general feeling of disappointment, he said, over the failure of the Government to deliver their legislative goods. Another farmer stated that he and his friends were beginning to realise now that the ordinary New Zealand farmer, owning a few thousand pounds' worth of land, was carrying the big landowners oa his back. It is realised throughout the Taranaki district that a change is coming quickly. What may occur betweei now and November is hard to say, but my subsequent meeting in Hawera, and my conversations with delegates from many divisions of the Patea electorate, convinced me that a revulsion of opinio* in favour of the Opposition is taking place. A gentleman who stood for Patea in 1911 in the Liberal interests and desires to stand again, and who has a considerable backing, submitted himself entirely to the conference of delegates, and stated that if another candidate were selected lie would loyally accept the decision and use his time, influence and money in helping to win the seat for Liberalism. That spirit is animating the party generally. At my meeting in Hawera a vote of confidence in the Liberal party was moved by a farmer, long resident in the district, who stated that in his opinion the farmers of Patea realised at last who their real friends were, and would give a strong vote for the Liberal party at the next election. Mr. Massey's attempt to brand Liberals as 'Red Feds' is regarded in the North Island as a political 'stunt' which has already become tedious. The electors know that the Social Democrats will run their own candidates against Liberals as well as 'Reformers,' and'that fact is sufficient illustration of the position. Speaking of the North Island generally, I can say, from a party standpoint, that the offers of assistance from all quarters and the | eager willingness to devote time and icnergy .to the Liberal cause, speak volumes. The receptions accorded everywhere to members of th? Liberal 'living squadron,' including Messrs. Tsitt, Witty, and 'Forbes, tell their own tale. We Liberals in the north are confident of success at the election. We sec and feel the revulsion of popular feeling. The simple fact is that New Zealand is Liberal to the core despite anything Mr. Massey may say to the contrary, and is longing for an opportunity to so express itself."