The Dominion FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1918. WELLINGTON NORTH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 121, 8 February 1918, Page 4

The Dominion FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1918. WELLINGTON NORTH

The initial differences of opinion '.vHch disclosed themselves in connection with the choicc of a candi' date to succeed the Hon. _A. L. Herdman as member for Wellington North were not altogether surprising. Failing a suitable candidate of outstanding qualities, it was almost inevitable that there would be some such disagreement. Tho retiring member had set an exceptionally high standard for the constituency, and it was only natural that those who have interested themselves in the affairs of tho electorate "-houid desire to secure as his successor one to whom they could confidently look to maintain that standard. In their efforts in this direction many estimable citizens have been approached, but for one reason or another it has not been possible to secure a candidate acceptable to all sections of the supporters of tho National Government. The consequence has been that the original differences of opinion have grown into a breach which threatens to divide the supporters o£ the National Government into two hostile camps, thus imperilling tho prospects of tho Government candidate in the election 'and opening the door to the still moro unpleasant possibility of the succcss of the Laoour-Socialist candidate, whose triumph would bo misinterpreted by our enemies as a sign of our weakening will to prosecute the war to a victorious end. This is the position which the differences ' in the ranks of the Reform Party, ■ encouraged by interested parties outside its ranks, have led to. Wo i know the harmful effect of the rei suit of the Australian Referendum • on the conscription issue. Ger- ' many mado the most of that unfor- ' tun a to decision; publishing it \ broadcast through the Press of the Central Powers; using it to hearten the German people; quot--1 ing it as an evidenco of Australia's ' waning sympathy with the cause- of the Allies. But its effect was equally important in its_ tendency to dis- • courage our own friends and Allies. Only a day or two ago General Bctha, Prime Minister of South Africa. Quoted the action of tho

Commonwealth as a justification for his refusal t-o introduce conscription there. Every patriotic New Zcahuuler must deplore the possibility of anything going out to the world that would suggest even in the 'slightest degree that public opinion in the Dominion was veering from its win-the-war policy to that of tho ar.ti-conscriptionists and pacifists. Yet with two candidates.standing in the interests of the National Government and splitting the votes of tho supporters of the Government this is a possibility which cannot be ignored.

Tho situation, as it affects the Government and the Reform Party, is a difficult and in some respects a delicate one, but it is one which calls for plain speaking. The official Government candidate, Mr. J. P. Luke, though not by any means the ideal candidate for this particular electorate, has'many claims to consideration. His war services as Mayor of the City, his efforts on behalf of our soldiers; the splendid, spirit he has shown in all public matters relating to the war, and the fine example he has given of willing service and personal sacrifice mark _ him as _a_ man in harmony with the spirit of the times and a staunch champion of a win-the-war policy. He can he relied on to assist the National Government to the best of his ability, and his experienco and practical common sense should be of valuo when administrative matters and questions of after-war policy are under consideration on the floor of the House. That ho will meet with a very wide support on account of his own and Mhs. Luke's war services, apart from the fact that he is the official nominee of both Mb. Massey and Sib Joseph Ward, is certain. But for the appearance in the field a day or two ago of Mu. A. de B. Brandon, as a supporter cf the National Government, Mr. Luke's election would have been practically certain. With thesa two candidates competing for tho votes of the supporters of the Government there is a distinct danger, as already stated, of tho seat being won by a Labour-Socialist whoso published writings and public ut- . terances would bo quoted as an evidenco that public opinion in the strongost Government electorate in the Capital City had turned against the Peace-With-Victory National Government . Such a result would be deplorable not merely for the thing itself, but because of tTio exaggerated and distorted inferences that would be drawn thereboth within and beyond the Dominion. No one, we believe, would regret such an outcome moro than Mr. Brandon himself. Hi 3 friends did him no more than justice when, in asking him to be a candidate for the Wellington North seat, they spoke of his public spirit-c-dncss and patriotic fervour. He can point to an admirable record of public service, but we believe he could do no greater service to his country at the present time than to withdraw from the coming political contest, and thus leave the way clear for a straight-out fight between the National candidate and the anti-conscriptionists and paci-1 fists. In expressing this view wo are influenced by a strong conviction that Mr. Brandon, under existing conditions, cannot hopo to win the seat, and that by continuing in the contest ho may, by splitting the votes of the supporters of the Government, play into the hands of ita enemies. It is no doubt asking a great deal of him te> suggest that he should make tho sacrifice here indicated, but he has made greater sacrifices for principle, and on occasions, perhaps, for a lesser cause. There arc electors who beiicve that tho result of the coming contest is a foregone conclusion—that the Government candidate is certain to lie elected. Such confidence is dangerous indeed. There are influences at work, in addition to the threatened vote-splitting mentioned, which may play into the hands of the LabourSocialist candidate. Every elector therefore should see that he or she is enrolled—many names have been struck off the roll which should be there—and every Reform voter and every Liberal voter should bear ia mind that therr votes will bo needed by the official Government candidate to ensure that, complete victory at the poll will_ add to the confidence of our friends abroad and strengthen the hands of Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward in their coming visit overseas.