WELLINGTON LIBERALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5655, 28 August 1896, Page 6 (Supplement)

WELLINGTON LIBERALS.

, ', (Tewuka Ltn3er.) - The only way in widen iihe Liberal Party San satisfy their Conservative opponents is to lie down and die, The Conservatives have started the National Association to forward their interests, and there is no reason why they should not do so. It is quite legitimate and proper for them to organise their forces and "win the forthippming battle if they can. But they should Allow the other side the same right. The idberals have as good a right to organise as they have. This, however, is apparently the Conservatives will not allow. The "Liberals of Wellington have organised a league to select candidates for the next selection, and to prevent, if possible, too anany aspirants for political honours •coming into the contest. For doing this, they have been violently attacked by. the Evening Post, and our Timaru contemporary has re-echoed its If any Conservative cry, no 'matter how absurd, is raised in any part of the colony, the Timaru Herald is certain to take it up and embellish it with additional Stupidity. The great objection raised the Wellington League is that it to support the present Government. It is, they say, autocratic, and has been inspired and promoted by Mr Seddon. The fact is, however, that Mr Seddon has , had nothing to do with it. About a fortnight ago the League asked Mr Seddon to nominate the candidates he would like to see elected for Wellington, but he declined to do so, as he desired the electors to be tree to make their own choice. *.. The Wellington Post knows this, and the , Timaru Herald ought to know this, as it % las appeared in the Wellington papers, i yet with characteristic mendacity they ' have suppressed this fact with the view of throwing dust in the eyes of their readers. Apparently the whole venom of Conservatism is directed towards Mr Seddon at the present time. They want to make the people believe «'■■ that he is an autocrat and a tyrant. They dare hot say anything against his policy, the attempt to prove maladministration has utterly failed, and all that remains is : , to denounce Mr Seddon as a tyrant. What a stupid idea. Mr Seddon holds the position by the will of the people ; he is fulfilling his duties so satisfactorily that Tiig opponents cannot find any serious T fault with anything he has done. Where ! does the tyranny come in ? He is a strong, : ' powerful, masterful man, who leads in the -right direction. Are the people going to ■ turn him out to put in such a weakling as ' Captain Russell because his opponents call Mm an autocrat? If the Conservatives have no better claim on public confidence than ; this they had better throw up the sponge. They are making themselves ridiculous. yAs we said before, Mi 1 Seddon has refused to i' interfere in the selection of candidates for Wellington; he is leaving the matter in ;'".. the hands of the people. He exercises '■'■ no undue control over his followers, and the cry of tyranny is ridiculous bosh. f We strongly commend the Wellington ■ : people for forming a Liberal League, and trust they will be successful in securing ; the election of thorough Liberals.