Page 9 Advertisements Column 1

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 131, 20 February 1918, Page 9

The National Government is being , attacked from behind its own lines. It is not the political enemies openly arrayed against it that it has to fear. Mr. Brandon stated at his meeting on Monday evening that the danger was that . with two National Government candidates in the, field a third candidate opposed to the Government might secure (he Wellington North seat. . Why, then, as a patriotic citizen who believes that the National Government is necessary to enable New Zealand to play an honourable part in the war, does not Mr". Brandon remove that danger by withdrawing from the contest and loyally assisting the Government he professes to desire to help ? The answer given,by i£ r . Brandon and his supporters is that they object tcxMr. Massey taking it on himself to choose the National Government's candidate for the Seat. They call him a political "boss. 1 ' That is their excuse for turning and attacking the Government from behind its own ■••'.' lines. Do they ask the electors to swallow so feeble an attempt to justify an aljt which under existing circumstances is so open to condemnation- - . They ignore the fact that Mr. Massey did consult his party and his immediate supporters and that they endorsed his action in selecting Mr. Luke. They ignore the Reform Party's meeting and-they ignore the fact that with few exceptions the whole of Mr. Herdmar/e . active supporters are working for Mr. Luke in this election. That is.a hard nut for Mr. Brandon and his friends to crack. But who chose Mr. Brandon as a candidate? A little group of malcontents, a few .. ■• personal friends, and some clever gentlemen who wished to split the National Government's vote and' saw in Mr. Brandon's candidature the means to serve their ends. Outside his own little circle no one believes that Mr. Brandon has a shadow of a chance of winning the election. ■ Everyone knows that Mr. Brandon's candidature is playing into the hands of the AntiConscription candidate and threatening the stability of the National Government. At a time when "Unity" should be the national watchword, when the peril of the ■. . hour is greater than ever, when the National Government is faced with increasing diffi- • culties and requires the staunch support of every loyal citizen, Mr. Brandon allows himself ■ ' to be used to sow. dissension and endanger the Government. : Yet Mr. Brandon claims to be a frieud and supporter of the National Government. ' : .Well might the Government ask to be saved from such friends. ;What is there in Mr. Brandon's platform to justify his friends in thrusting him forward at such a time and in such circumstances ? What new ray of light has he thrown on the . country's war efiorts or on the political situation? .What hope is held out in his speeches of any special service he might render the nation if elected? He says he is out to win the war.. So is Mr. Luke. Otherwise Mr. Brandon moves along the beaten track. ' What, then, is there in his programme that entitles him to claim special consideration ? ■..'.■■■•'" '*■.;'•.■■.■ It is true that he says he oujects to any experimental legislation in war-time. God help New Zealand and the Empire if Great Britain and other parts of the' Empire had adopted his views and baulked at experimental legislation in war-time! It has been nothing but experimental legislation that has enabled the Empire to carry on the struggle. Compulsory service was a tremendous experiment in Britain and in New Zealand alike; the commandeering of the. railways and shipping, State control of private manufacturing I businesses and of food supplies, and a multitude of other measures designed to promote I national efficiency were all great and daring experiments. Is Mr. Brandon so hopelessly conservative that he really means that we should pursue the old paths even in a time of unprecedented national crisis, or is he merely evading ques- .. . ■ tions concerning which he dare not give the electors a straight-out answer? Why does he not answer frankly and freely, the question of whether he will support / a continuance of 6 o'clock closing? Will he tell the women of Wellington North that he ■■•.... wants the bars reopened, at night? Why does he not give a straight-out answer on other matters affecting the Liquor Trade? ' ; It is all humbug to say that these are questions for after-war consideration. Every country engaged in the war has dealt or is- dealing with- them, and they deeply concern . the people. . Why should he shirk telling the electors whose confidence he seeks his views regarding free places in secondary schools and free and secular education generally? Does he fear to tell the mothers of Wellington North that he opposed their daughters getting free places in the Wellington Girls' College? These questions are pertinent because Mr. Brandon claims to be a bold critic with the strength to give Voice to his convictions. But apart from the weakness of Mr. Brandon's claims to consideration, there is a stronger reason still which should influence the votes of the Electors of Wellington North on Polling Day. There should be no division in the ranks of Loyal Citizens at the present time. The ■ candidature of Mr. Brandon creates divisions. UNITY alone made the National Government. UNITY alone will enable it to carry on. UNITY alone will win this Election for the National Cause. Electors of Wellington North: If you vote for Mr. Brandon you will split the National vote. I Your Watchword is UNITY. |