The Press.MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1913. THE LYTTELTON ELECTION.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14843, 8 December 1913, Page 6

The Press.MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1913. THE LYTTELTON ELECTION.

"With so many candidates standing for the Lvfetelton scat, and. so many conflicting counsels darkening the air, it would not be surprising if the electors became a little confused and perplexed as to what tliej- oucht tn do. There is only cine issue, however, really to bo decided, and this is very generally roeogirised , outside the electorate. If the Government candidate, Mr Miller, is returned, it will be taken as an indication that the Lyttelton electors, in common with the great mass of thoughtful people, throughout the Dominion, approve the action taken by the Government to re-open tho channels of trade ami industry, sealed up by the Federation of Labour, 3iul to restore liberty to th«> worker to dispose of his industry to tlii) best advantage. If Mr Miller is ddfeated, then it will be inferred that tins majority of tho Lyttelton electors .■we in sympathy with tho party of violemee, disorder, and confiscation. Tho ianiG lies between Mr Miller and Mr McCombs. The latter will receivo tho soJid support of the labour agitators and the extremists of all kinds. It Is tine that Mr McCombs, like Mr Mills, off Milwaukee, is a recent convert to tihe Red Feds., and we suspect that he Went over to them for pretty much the name reasons. It would seem from same of his recent remarks that he is prepared to leave them again just as lightly and jauntily when ho deems the time is ripe. According to a correspondent whose letter wo published on Saturday, Mr McCombs has lately shown a disposition to "hedge." Ho calls himself a "Social Democrat" —

which perhaps sounds a little less revolutionary than a "Red Fed." but means precisely the same thing. It is, in fact, tho official title which tho "Rod Feds." have invented for themselves for official use in political contests. Sir McCombs has throughout the labour trouble been on the side of the agitators, has appeared on their platforms, and has done all in his power to stir up class strife. Ho was selected by the "Red Feds," as their official candidate, and he told thorn that if he was elected it would bo a victory for the Federation of Labour.- That is perfectly true —perhaps, the truest thing Mr McCombs has said in - this campaign. If ho is returned, the electors will have set their ee-nl of approval upon the Federation and all its works—upon its policy of broken agreements, of mob -violence, of "sabotage," and iof incitements to crime, < That the majority of the Lyttelton electors, really wish to acquire this unenviable reputation in the eyes of the people of New Zealand we do not for. one moment believe. If they do not wish to bo entrapped into such a false position they must be careful to brush aside all jninor issues in this contest. Do they think that the Government has done right. in restoring law and order throughout the Dominion, or are they content that our rights and our liberties shall pass xmder the control of Mr Semple, Mr Hickey, and the yoluhlo person from Milwaukee? According to their views on this subject they-should vote.. If they aro for law and order, lot'them vote for Mr Miller; if they prefer mob rule as made in Milwaukee they will, of course, plump for Mr McComhs, In this particular crisis, we regard a vote given for any other candidate, however estimable ho may be in private life, as simply a vote thrown away.