THE GREY ELECTION CONTEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 200, 13 May 1918, Page 7

THE GREY ELECTION CONTEST

Sir—With a little enterprise on the part of the Liberal-Labour Party, the Grey , by-election should and easily could bo won for tho National Government, but as Ihiug3 are going bo far there is a decided danger that the undemocratic lied Fed clique will triumph. From the Greymouth newspapers it is quite clear thut Mr. Coates, who has had to be pressed to contest tho seat with Mr. Holland, is not popular with the mining community, and has no particularly clear and constructive political .policy. He has not even yot made any deoided etart in the election campaign, but has -dillydallied with his decision and scruples until his pushing opponent has already ffol n lofig start in tiio contest... His nit'cliugs have ljren attended by only a few women, besides coniniitteomcn; and it lias been plainly intimated through tho Grpymouth Press that Mr. Coates is only beating lime, and inlo:i-J.s becking out of Hie contest. A correspondent in the llruymoutli "Evening Star" of May 8 said:—"lt was told mo yesterday, as a great secret, that Mr, Coates was pulling out." This statement has been confinned to me by people who havo just arrived in Wellington from Greymouth. Whether this is the case or nol, it ia evident (hat Mr. Coates lias very little grip of the general situation, and uiidur these, circumstances I submit that a candidato supporting tho National Government should strongly opposo the anti-war clap-trap of tho undemocratic demagogue representing tho Rod Fed clique, who are heedless of tho fact that the very existence of both our Dominion and Empire arc 3criously threatened.

Mr. Holland seems to have nothing moro BPi'ioii? to put before tho doctors than he trotted out in Wellington; and ho is as much out of touch with the local requirements of the West Coast us is Mr. Coates himsolf. Mr. Holland by no means represents the whole electorate, but is bound hand and foot to a domineerine few, imd his present position a« a candidate is ns undemocratic as his arguments aro irrelevant, inconsistent, and lacking in patriotic spirit. Tho fact that he compares the present unprecedented situation into which the Massey-Ward-Allen Coalition Government liave been thrust bv force of unavoidable circumstances with the times and actions of Nelson, Napqkon, and Bismarck ohows how utterly iffnorant he ie of the facts and lessons of history j and any keen opponent, used to public platform wori, would be able to effectually turn the tables agairst him, and would defend tho case of Liberalism, Labour, and true Democracy. As the election does not talto place until May 29 perhaps it ie not too late oven yet to capture the seat, Drovided that si live and truly democratic candidate can be found, who is, at the same time, thoroughly conversant with Hie social position and the industrial possibilities of the Grey electorate.—l am, SOJ ROLTAT. May 11. 1918.