THE DUTY OF LOYAL ELECTORS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 6, 2 October 1918, Page 4

THE DUTY OF LOYAL ELECTORS

In these great days when Britain and her Allies arc beginning- to reap the fruits of four long, years of stress and strain and sacrifice it would be deplorable, if our national rejoicings over a succession of splendid victories were marred by division and discord in tho ranks of those who have never wavered in their determination to win the war and to secure the right kind of peace. Tho Wellington Central byelection will take place at a time when the heart of every loyal and patriotic citizen of New Zealand is filled with pride at the magnificent achievements of our soldiers and thankfulness because German militarism is now tottering to its fall. What would be tho thoughts of the men at the front, who are fighting and dying to secure complete and final victory, if the electors were to return to Parliament a candidate who wants to repeal the Military Service Act, who has, a good word to say for the Bolsheviks, and who favours the 'promotion of peace by negotiation? The overwhelming majority of the men and women of Wellington Central are loyal through and through, and would scorn tho very idea of bargaining with tho Huns; and, yet,it is quite possible that disunion, in the ranks of the win-the-war majority may result in tho triumph;of tho Fraserite minority: A section of the electors feel that they have a grievance against the National Government' in connection with, tho banning of a certain type of literature. They contend that they have not received fair play. But are they prepared, merely for the sake of showing their resentment, to present the Wellington Central seat to tho Labour Federation's nominee, rvho only "thinks" he is "a loyal subject of this country in this great trouble we are going through"? Are they in favour of repudiating the political truce and resuming tho party struggle just at a timo wheniit.is of special importance that wo should stand solid as a rock against every temptation to parley with the enemy before he is conquered? Sir James Allen states what we all know to be true when be asserts in his appeal to, tho electors that without the combination of the Reform and Liberal Parties it is inconceivable that New Zealand could have done its duty to the Empire in this time of trial. Every man and woman who accepts this view is morally bound to observe the political truce both in its letter and spirit, and Sib James Allen rightly contends that the return of the supporter of the National Government will ba an unmistakable indication to friend and foe of the determination of the electors of Wellington Central , to do ali they can to assist in bringing about a satisfactory conclusion of the war. It is to be hoped that no party or sectarian considerations will deter any loyal man or woman in the electorate from ■ voting for Me. Hildketh, the National Government's candidate.