THE WAIRARAPA SEATS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2327, 8 December 1914, Page 4

THE WAIRARAPA SEATS

The Wardist candidates in the" various, parts of the Wairarapa district are obviously finding that thoy have a very uphill task in hand, and the queer shifts to which some' of them have been reduced are rather calculated to arouse amusement than to provoke rebuke. In Pahiatua, for example, according to the local newspaper, the Wardist candidature is a dual affair, the candidate (Mb. Mathews) confining his exertions to the small out-of-the-way districtp while Mr, Gallichan (a'Wardist organiser) has been operating in the more important centres.' Apparently this dual alliance is not lacking, in hardihood for, on the word of the same -authority - , Mr. Gallichan has been assuring the Pahiatua electors that the arming of _ tho "specials" with batons (at the time of tho strike, last year) was a brutal and atrocious way of coping wih rioters. Considering that the electors to- whom the assurance is addressed probably include a goodly proportion of the "specials" who took up batons', in defence of their rights, and dealt in determined fashion with the lawless rioters who tried to close the ports and, stop the flow of exports, this particular foolishness may very well be left where it stands. .' Plainjy the dual alliance ,in Pahiatua is hard pressed, whereas Mr. J. H. Escorr. Who proved himself α-capable member in the last Parliament, is fighting his own campaign, and should have no difficulty in again winning the seat. for Reform. . In the Wairarapa electorate, the Wardist candidate apparently fondly relies on the public memory being enoi't, and so he takes the line of gently pooh-poohing the Red-Fed, menace. He did not believe, he told a recent meeting, , that any Labour man should be branded as a Red-Fed. This way of getting rid of a difficulty by declaring that.it does not" exist is eminently -characteristic of Mr. HornsbYjbbu s fortunately tho people of Wairarapa have had - practical experience of the party which he dismisses so airily from the political arena. In addition they aro in a position to set in contrast to Mr. Hornsby's fatuous oblivious-, ness the sterling se-rvices rendered by their veteran member at a time when the interests of Wairarapa settlers, as producers and exporters) were very seriously jeopardised, and were protected only by prompt and determined action in which many of them, took a personal part. No man 'in , or out of Parliament "did more individually than Sir Walter Buchanan at that very trying time. His energy was unbounded, and his efforts tireless ; and as was the case also on the outbreak of the war he rose splendidly to the occasion, and not only by his personal efforts but by the enthusiasm which his example inspired rendered the country a service the value of which it would be difficult to overestimate. It is to men like Sir Walter Buchanan that the public naturally turn in time of emergency or crisis, and the electors of the Wairarapa when they come to recall his practical services to the community in and out of 'Parliament, ana contrast them with the Wordy platitudes of his opponents, cannot fail to see where their true interests lie in the: present contest. No more striking, contrast between the man of deecb and the man of words could be found than that which is presented by $e- candidates for the Wairarapa spat. • . ■ Somewhat similar factore are at work in the Masterton electorate. The Reform candidate, Mr. Sykes, has proved himself an able and conscientious member, thoroughly alive to the interests of his town and country constituents, arid with no mistaken ideas on the- subject of the Red Feds, His opponent, Mr. A. W. Hoacj, is' very well known in the district as its one-time representative, but in recent years has developed extreme views on a number .of questions, particularly on the subject of a State note issue. His return to Parliament at the present time would hardly be likely to serve the interests of the district, and certainly would riot benefit the country.