THE DANGER OF VOTESPLITTING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2324, 4 December 1914, Page 4

THE DANGER OF VOTESPLITTING

~ 'Although Iteform ; Party .is figKiing, this election with assured prospects, .ordinary prudence su'ff- : Rests' that its', supporters' in individual .electorates' should, avoid . any line of iction caloulated to play into the, hands of their opponents. On that-,account. t , the., participation, of two. Eefona candidates in the contest at Palmefs'ton...North can only be ref' ar.ded as, distinctly unfortunate, his is not .a tinio when those who wish'to' v retain, in .office the strong 1 arid .able. Government which has acquitted itself so well during the past three years' can afford to take, any risks. • The "national issues at stake; are clean-cut. and definite. , The electors have to choose' between a Government which has.been ; proved capable and reliable .under very 'severe tests and a.motley alliance' of office-seeking, opportunists .and. extremists, whose, .success would bo a desperate/ 'misfortune to the whole Dominion.., In .these circumstances 'comparison of ,6no' acceptable' candidate...with .anrfther becomes, a matter of quite' secondary In .fa'Jmerston North', ,as in. other electorates, the essential thing is that a supporter of the right party should b'6' returned, and as things now stand there is' a danger that the seat may be needlessly sacrificed by a division of- voting, strength between two candidates, either of whom would have had good prospects, standing.alone, TJiero, is ,no need tp, waste \tinic or thought ,upon tho respective, merits of Me,,Buick,. tlfc official candidate',' apd. v his v ltefqrra' opponent. Me. Nash; .can point,to useful services in thoj.fieldipf 'local, government,', and under other circumstances .would'be [a candidate to bo welcomed. But tho people of Palmerston North al- ! ready.. have„a,„tricd and. trusted re?, [ p'reMtd'tlve' with, whom they-baro i»q isaaoß to, find tkvlk ■ Like faii^

Reform opponent, Me. Bjiiok baa rendered useful service as a member of local bodies, and he haa successfully fought the battle for Eeform at two previous elections. As a member of Parliament he has an established reputation as a capable and courageous member of decided views, ready, at all times to stand up for His principles and the people he represents. Clearly, therefore, he has first claim upon the support of the people whom he has served so well and faithfully' up to the present time; and the sensible thing for the Reform electors of Palmerston North to do on Thursday next is to concentrate the whole ot their support upon the official candidate, and make every effort to secure his return. The only alternative is a division of voting strength, which might lose a seat to the Government without in any way helping Me. Nash. . ~ ~