THE STRATFORD BY-ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 187, 4 May 1920, Page 6

THE STRATFORD BY-ELECTION

The overshadowing interest of the visit of the Prince of Wales and the distraction of the railway strike have diverted public attention from the Stratford by-election contest now drawing to a close. It-may be hoped, however, that the electors of Stratford will on . Thursday next, polling day, prove themselves to be fully alive to the importance of the responsibility which rests on them of recording their votes. Though little news of the election struggle has reached other parts of the Dominion, the issue has been keenly fought throughout the electorate itBelf, and thcpicrits of the claims of Me. Hine and Mr. Masters have boen thoroughly canvassed. As was to be expected in such a contest, a good deal oi feeling-has been shown by strong partisans, -and more than the usual amount of irrelevant matter has been introduced in the hope of swaying electors to one side orthe other. Those, however, who are not strong partisans, and who are looking only to the interests of the electorate and of the country, will no doubt give little heed to these efforts 'to obscure tho real issue. What should appeal to them, what indeed would appeal to most people, is the fact that in their old member they will haw a representative ot proved worth in political life, and who if re-elected will have a responsible post in the Government of the day. This is a matter of no small importance to a country electorate such as Stratford. The re-election of Mr. Hine will .mean something more even than securing a capable member thoroughly familiar with the needs of tho district; it will mean that Str,atford and the province of Taranaki will he directly represented in the Ministry, and have the advantage of the weight and influence which attach to such direct representation. There is always a clanger at by-elections of a small vote being polled. Those electors of Stratford who are desirous of securing the strongest possible representation at this period of unsettled conditions, when tho farmer is_so deeply concerned in the rehabilitation of our export trade on the soundest possible lines, should not fail to see that every possible vote is recorded on Thursday next, and recorded in favour of the candidate best able to further their interests. Mr. Hine.