A Grave Issue.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16147, 27 February 1918, Page 6

A Grave Issue.

The election for Wellington North •which takes place on Thursday to fill the vacancy caused by tho elevation of Mr Herdman to the Supremo Court Bench, is invested with an importance far beyond that of any other by-clection in ?tew Zealand within our recollection. It is unfortunate that differences in tho ranks of the Reform Party in that constituency havo led to another candidate, Mr Brandon, coming forward in opposition to Mr J. p. Luke, C.M.G., ■who was selected by Mr Maasey as the official candidate, and endorsed by tho National Government. It would bo useless now to attempt to go into the merits of this unhappy dispute; we must accept tho position as it stands. Careful enquiry on tho spot leads us to the conviction that tho contest really lies between Mr Holland, the lied Fed. onti-conscription candidate on the one hand, and Mr Luko on tho other. 3lr Poison, whole performances on the platform are a subject of general commiseration, never had the slightest chcnco of election, and the proprietorial interest displayed in this unfortunate young man by Dr. Thacker has only served to accentuate the mingled feeling of amusement and pity with -which his candidature is regarded. Mr Brandon has a long and honourable record as a citizen of Wellington, and under other circumstances he would have received a very large measure of support from tho Reform Party. As it is, many of his best friends feel with regret that he has been placed in a false position. In a crisis like the present, loyalty to one's leader, even if that leader should occasionally make a mistake, is imperative. Wo cannot afford to take any risks. It is believed by those best able to judge that Mr Brandon cannot win the seat himself, but that it is quite possible for him to prevent Mr Luke from doing so, thus practically presenting the seat to Mr Holland. Can the more thoughtful and responsible electors of Wellington North —can Mr Brandon himself— contemplate such a possibility without a shudder of dismay? The last representative of the district will long be rememberod for his services to the cause <of jzpod government, and his devotion

to the Empire. Can it be that those who were so proud of liini, think to find a suitable successor in ono whom he -was instrumental in prosecuting for sedition, and who in this present contest stands for anti-conscription, and for that school of politics of which the Bolsheviks of Russia have shown to the world the practical fruits? Can they not see tho uso which could he made of such a victory outside the confines of New Zealand, and how it would carry consternation and dismay into the minds of those who now look upon this country as a model of patriotic zeal and determination to do its best to win the war? "We hope that even at tho eleventh hour the Reform Party in Wellington Zs'orth will close up its ranks, and that all who value the good name of our country will cast their votes so as to strengthen and support the National Government in the task it has undertaken.