THE GREY ELECTION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1805, 18 July 1913, Page 6

THE GREY ELECTION.

A few days ago the local mouthpiece of the Opposition, in its own reckless fashion, was wildly shouting challenges to the world in general and to the Government in particular to make the Grey election a test of the feeling in the country respecting the two parties. It was just the sort of thing one would expect from that source. The Grey seat had been a "Liberal" one for over twentyyears, and for years past the Reform party had not even contested it. The Government not only had no candidate when* the seat became vacant, but it had no one in sight and no organisation there whatever. So the courageous organ of antiReform felt that it could with some confidence shout its challenge to the world without much fear of being hurt. A more transparent bluff could hardly be imagined. It would bo difficult to find a constituency in New Zealand which, on paper, looked a safer scat for the so-called Liberal party than tne Grey seat and to, profess to believe that the victory of the "Liberal" candidate would in such circumstances demonstrate the greater popularity throughout the country of the Opposition, as compared with the Government, was simply typical ot tne methods of a section of the antiReform press. Yesterday they had demonstrated to them that it is not safe to gamble even on seeming certainties where their effete political party is concerned. Despite the enormous handicap' under which ho suffered in entering the field at the last minute, without any ready-made organisation to assist him, the Government candidate headed the poll at the first ballot, and the nominee of "Liberalism" was at the bottom. The result goes to emphasise in the most positive manner the general recognition throughout the country of the uselcssness and impotence of the once powerful, but now thoroughly discredited, "Liberal" party. A victory in the Grey election would have meant nothing to it except the retention of a seat the party had held for over twenty years. Defeat proves beyond all question' how rapidly the party has rushed on the down grade. Leaderle'ss, "falling to pieces from dry rot," as someone has described it, it has not only lost the confidence of the country, but it has lost confidence in itself. Mr. Hannan fought hard, but, as we pointed out during the contest, he was handicapped because he was fighting for a dead cause. Mr. Michel, who undertook what at first sight looked like a forlorn hope, is to be heartily congratulated on the able and courageous battle he has waged against the- tremendous odds. Whatever the result of the Second Ballot may be he cannot be robbed of the credit which is his due. The fight will now lie between Militant Socialism and Reform. The Grey electorate is perhaps the greatest stronghold of the "Red Federation" in the Dominion, and Me. Webb is a strong candidate. At the last general election ho polled heavily against Sir Arthur Guinness, and, as will be seen from tho detailed returns published elsewhere, he secured practically a block vote in some of tne mining centres. Mr. Michel is, however, a most determined campaigner and a very able man, well informed on political matters and respected even by those who do not altogether hoi 3 with his political views. The majority of the people of the Grey electorate will probably prefer a candidate of his standing and ability to a member of the Socialist fraternity and a militant and aggressive advocate of the methods of the "Red Federation." That, however, will be tested a week hence.