The Dominion. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1914. THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2311, 19 November 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1914. THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN

A good many people had imagined that public attention would be so closely concentrated on the progress of events in connection with the war that there would be very little interest taken in the General Elections.- 'Generally speaking this has been now proved' to v be incorrect. Election meetings in all parts of the country have been well attended and very keen , interest is being shown in tho issues placed before the electors. Probably there has never been a bigger number of the public in attendance at an ordinary election meeting in Wellington than that which mustered for Mr.' Fisher's meeting afc the Town Hall last evening. It was not merely that tho great hall was filled, but several thousands who wore unable to find accommodation had to be turned away long before the hour at which the meeting was fixed to start. Me. Fisher of course usually attracts larger meetings than most people, but even allowing for this fact the manner in which the public assembled. last evening in order to listen to his speech was in itself ample proof of the very livo interest in political matters in Wellington. There is every reason why. interest should bo keen. The fact that the Empire is passing through the greatest crisis in its'history is quite sufficient ground for the people being deeply concerned as to the question of who aro fco hold the reins ofe Government and steer the Dominion through the "troublous times ahead. We have been extremely fortunate up to the present. All the emergencies have been firmly met and the difficulties overcome so smoothly and with so little dislocation of tho trade and commerce or tho labour markets of the Dominion that many people have failed to fully realiso now mucH they owe to the members of tho lleform Government for -the judgment and foresight thoy havo shown, under the unprecedented circumstances. They have almost for-, gotten tho Moratorium Act passed in the early stages of tho war to removo the risk of those having mortgages on their property being ruined by foreclosure or being compelled to renew their loans at exorbitant rates of interest. They have in many instances failed to remember the steps taken k> protect tho public from being exploited in the matter of foo'd supplies and the necessaries of life; also the prompt action of the Prime Minister' in purchasing Australian wheat to safeguard the country against a shortage of flour, and his later action in securing wheat from Oanada-rtheso things and many other wise and prudent actions of the Government ' have been or are'liable to be temporarily lost sight of in these days of great happenings. That tho Government was able to take these precautions and in addition _ carry, through large financial operations aridconduct the ordinary business of -the country while orand dispatching the largo Expeditionary/ Force ,sent, overseas cannot fail to impress the thinking portion of the electors of the Dominion .with the fact that the management of the country's affairs is in very sound and capable hands. But those who look ahead will realise that great as have been the difficulties overcome, and splendidly as the emergencies have been met. the future will "make at least' equal demands on those in office to ward off tho risksof financial depression and to provide ways and means o~f ensuring that steady ,and progressive development so essential to tho welfare of all 1 classes. -It is because of these things that the elections of 1914 are of far greater moment to the people of New Zealand than have been the elections at any time in the recent history of tho country; and it is because so many of the electors are alive to this fact that even absorbing interest of the war has not blinded them to the importance of the local issues on whioh they' will be shortly called to vote. From all parts of New Zealand evidence'has been forthcoming to show that the people are alive to the fact that the choice lies between a Government that has proved itself safe ind enterprising and equal to all the demands placed on it in times / of < great stress and in a national crisis of unprecedented magnitude, and a party which has proved itself weak and vacillating even in times of peace and prosperity, and when backed by a huge majority. They know moreover that this feeble party has now in its final desperation allied itself with an extreme LabourSocialist section composed of reckless men who would in all probability if successful dominate the situation and place the interests of all classes in jeopardy by insisting on tho adoption of their wild and impracticable schemes. There is a growing wave of feeling in favour of the return of the present Government to office. Not only on account of the very real service it has rendered, but because of the increasing knowledge that to replace it with the makeshift combination which has united for the moment in the hope of getting control of the country's affairs would be to court One word of warning is necessary. So much success has attended the Reform Party's campaign that there is a tendency to over-confidence. This may lead to neglect of enrolment, and in many cases to failure to vote; and it is -well that everyone should realise that no risks should be taken.