Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY. FEB. 13, 1917 A MAN OF IDEALS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY. FEB. 13, 1917 A MAN OF IDEALS

The selection of Sir John Findlay as the Liberal choice to succeed the late Dr McNab for the Hawkes Bay seat, is a very happy one. Sir John is a scholarly gentleman and a man of high ideals. Be is a progressive Libera] and is capable of distinguished service for his conntry. His political career has not been smooth-running, bat when he had the opportunity he served his country well and faithfnlly. His capability is beyond question, and being a man of initiative and resource, he will be of great service in the present Parliament. Sir John Findlay attained Ministerial rank under Sir Joseph Ward, and was the Leader of the Upper House. He ocoupied a prominent place in the Liberal Cabinet and many reforms are credited to his initiative. All of these did not tend to the popnlarity of the Ward Administration, but they dealt with the sooial uplifting, and time will give a better perspective to their worth. Sir John is a very able professional man and it is good to see men of his stamp and ability sharing their talents for the benefit of the people. He has a dear grasp of trne Liberalism, and has the courage to work untiringly for its frnition. He will make an admirable successor to the late scholarly Dr MoNab in the House. H 8 will ba more trenchant as a debater, but probably not more idealistic. Whether he will succeed to the Cabinet vacancy, also, remains to be seen. Some of the rank and file of the Liberal party might fancy they have a snper or claim. The choice presumably will rest with Sir Joseph Ward as the Leader of the Liberals. Before Sir John Findlay’s candidature was announced Messrs Wilford, Forbes and Witty had been named as the favorites for the vacant portfolio. In maintaining the balance of power, Mr Wilford, as bemg like Dr McNab a North. Island representative, should receive' the choice, ii will be seen, therefore,, that there will be a very nice position to be determined, and Sir Joseph Ward will have freer action on the other side of the globe, than if he were here now listening to all the' charmers. If the situation could be solved by securing a representative of Labor for the National Cabinet at this: juncture, no better choice could be> made than selecting Mr Yeitcb, whom our Wellington correspondent has named already as a possible. However, it will be of importance to the' Liberals of the country to sea Sir John Findlay back in political harness. He wil t-rlng with him afreshness and i k -vitdge which will be helpful to alt auctions of the House.. He is an expsrienced counsellor who will briDg much ripe information to

the suifuce by fcis line of argument. In any matter arising ont of the Imperial Conference be will be invaluable, fcr beside being an Imperialist* he has sat already at one of the Hctre Conferences, and has a good deal of inside information on many of the great issues. Altogether his choice for a seat at this juncture is a very happy one, and if elected the country will be extremely well served.