RED FEDISM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16918, 18 December 1922, Page 5

RED FEDISM.

ATTACK BY MR ISITT. Mr L. M. lsitt, M.f\, after entertaining members of his'Election Com mit tee and friends at afternoon tea on Saturday, made another attack on Red Fedism He said.—

“There are one or two things I desire greatlv to say Yo-u’ll agree with me that, as a post-election meeting, this gathering is unique. As a Liberal, T have here Liberal supporters, but I hare around me also some sound Reformers. Not only that, but some of the most enthusiastic worker* for me in the recent, campaign are members of the Reform Party, who. with th? Irehest motives, gave me generous help. If voti think of the ■nicked things T said about some men in by-gone da vs. and the more wicked things they s t a’id about me. von’ll agree that this almost is a sign cf the rosy dawn of a political mil lon ilium. “ T wish to say something about the pledge I gave to a section of the Reform Party. it was one of conviction. not convenience. 1 naturally was anxious that the Reform Party should not run n candidate against me. and increase the chances of a Rod Fc i candidate, hut 1 said that whether the Reformers did so or not. my pledge to the constituents would remain unaltered. In regard to nv»- Liberal workers I don't forgot, that I have represented Christchurch North lor eleven or twelve years, and have fought some seven elections in it : and all 1 can say about it i-s that' no man possibly could have a more loyal and devoted band of supporters than some of the Liberal supporters I see here to-day. 1 also wish to refer to the support given to me by the "Welfare League It is not a political party organisation at all Tt is absolutely neutral as far as party is concerned, in its endeavour to prevent the consolidation of an organisation it regards as a menace. A good many of my Liberal friends think my not 1 at’'all surprised but T’as sure yo,. that my position is the result of ver> careful consideration. *• I believe that not only New Zealand. but also the whole of Britisn Empire*, is faced with a menace, in comparison with which all our politico., differences as between Liberals and Re formers shrink into the paltriest insignificance. During the past four tu five years, particularly the past three years. I’ve tried to persuade ray brother members of the House. Liberals

i and Reformers, that the Extreme La | hour Party is making rapid and dual ; progress—progress far as increasing j the revolutionary socialism of its plat- ; form is concerned, and progress as far ias its numbers are concerned. I’ve | been regarded more or less as an alarm j ist. 1 don’t think more* than nine or ten members in the House take exactly the view 1 do. You are face to face with the fact that the Extreme Labour Party lias more than doubled its strength. We all are to blame The last Liberal Government, the National Government, and the Reform Govern ment all .feared to clo their duty. Thcv placated and gave way when they should have met impossible demands with stern opposition. Individual mem hers of Parliament have been even more to blame. Wo have watched Labour members at it on Sundays and week days, ceaseless in. their propa ganda, from one end of the Dominion to the other. They have spent mono* lavishly, and have levied on their unions. J was amused by n statement in the ‘ Maori land Worker " as to the unlimited wealth at. the command ot the Reformers and the Liberals for elec tioneering. I don’t know about Reformers—they must speak for them-seives-y-but the Liberals had no fight ing fund. Only one man has done propaganda work in opposition : he is Mr Atmore. of Nelson. It is time Liberals and Reformers, if they are loyal* began work in their individual camps, and showed the workers the economic folly of the Red Fed plat form. The most menacing thing of all is the establishment of Socialistic Sunday Schools.

“In the anxious times eight years ago the Empire wn* threatened' by Prussia with destruction. The world the English-speaking world as long as it exists never will forget the magnificent sacrifices made and heroism shown by those; who gave up life, with all Its promise, for our liberties. No man can consider the present, position thoughfully without realising that the Em pire is faced with a danger more subtle than, and just as real as. the threatened danger of military destruction. We cannot manifest indifferene? to a movement which is spreading so rapidly and is threatening the prosperity and security of the future : and we must realise that it is our duty to play our part in opposing it.*’ Mr G. E. Franklin, chairman of the committee, said that if Mr lsitt bad not won Christchurch North it would have .been a disaster. He described Air Isitt’s addresses to the electors as efforts 'if the highest standard. Tn thank ing the workers, he particularly referrccl to Mrs W. Thornton. Mr lsitt. V daughter, secretary of the committee Mr K. Matheson said that the life boat was manned by a good crow of men and women, and they should not forget what bail been done by tlvir Grace Darling. the secretary. He added that the Labour vote in Chris jchurch North had gone back to the extent of 366 since the 1919 election. Mr R. St Clair Mackenzie said that Mr lsitt was one of tlie most honourei and most courageous politicians in New Zealand. Unlike many other politicians, he was not afraid to strike at the Re i Fed menace, whatever it might cost him. It was a genuine pleasure to support Air lsitt and to fight for him. Mr H. D. A eland, chairman of the Canterbury branch of Die Reform League, said that there were only two parties in tlie community. He had been convinced of that in 1911, when Sir Joseph Ward accepted the freehold tenure. He never could see the difference between the Reform Party and the Liberal Party. Both at least stood for constitutional government and rule That was why Mr lsitt had received po much support. Ideas put forth in recent years were not of British origin They were not wanted in this commu in ty. Wlien tried in Russia the. lad pioved disastrous, causing nu.v. :

poverty and misery than had been caused by anything else. He was sure that, when the people of New Zealand woke up .to the real position t here would be goorl government in the future. He was not pessimistic abouo it. He thought that the community did not realise the position as the people in Christchurch North realised it., but, he was convinced that if another election was held next day there would be an overwhelming majority for the forces of order and good constitutional government. Mr "W. Ms chin said that he had gone amongst the people of Christchurch North during the election, and. as a comparative stranger, was interested in the contest. Mr Tsitt’s support on me from "Liberals and Reformers. On ■ of therii said. “He stood four-square in a thousand fights.” Mr Isit+’a opponents had alleged against him that he could not cotint, but he had succeeded in counting up to 5227. Tr. any-case, he would be much better >rf now if lie had loft the liquor alone. (Laughter.) The guests, who numbered about 120 joined in giving cheers for Mr Jsitt and in singing the National Anthem.