THE LIBERAL POLICY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144525, 9 November 1914, Page 7

THE LIBERAL POLICY.

WILL IT CATCH VOTES? The policy of the Liberal party, as' .outlined by. their Lender (Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) at a meeting of tho . Women's Social and Political League at Wellington on Monday night, -hoes not, in me opinion of the Dunedin Stpr, a Liberal paper, represent a long advance from the position at which tho groat Liberals— the statesmen who crushed Conservatism beyond recovery two decades ago—-fell from notable power. A progressive change in the complex administration and laborious development of the Slate is not offered. There is a definite promise, it is true, of a few necessary improvements on imperfect enactments—the characteristic output of all Governments—and there is one proposal in the nature of highly experimental legislation, but there is really nothing in tho policy, as baldly presented to the people, to oul-Rcform the Reform Government, who also claim to bo tho real Liberals, and to outmanoeuvre them in tho contest for renewed administrative power. Wo confess to having anticipated a more comprehensive policy from a party who have had time to see in clear perspective their former weaknesses and shortcomings—a progressive policy embracing courageous thoroughness, legislative roundness, and wide vision. It is to bo suspected that tho Lender of the Liberal party has felt the lack of the supporting nolvieo of his former administrative colleagues, and lias had diflienltv (an obvious task) in devising a poliev calculated to maintain tho allegiance of Liberals and to secure the co-operative support of Moderate and Extreme Labour, and, in addition, outmanoeuvre the Government, who, as self-acclaimed Liberals, intend to submit a programme of liberal proposals.