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Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1917, Page 2

i In speaking of the possible contest for the (Irey seat, Mr. P. C. "Webb expressed the hope that the fight would not .be on “a win the war” issue, but on the cost of living and other Allied domestic subjects, including war regulations which control the individual. Mr. Webb has a poor perspectve of the outlook at present if be desires at this stage to exclude the one urgent question of the moment—winning the war. There is an axiom that the greater include the lesser, and winning the war being of the greatest concern now, all other matters are involved in the main issue. What will the cost of living matter or what say will he have in the question, if the war be lost? War regulations will bo a' tame measure to eon t.i’ol our individual liberties if Britain i s not on the winning side of this, war. The gravity of the situation is iar irom understood at- the present moment, when there are those amongst, us who regard the winning of the war as not of the first importance.. If the wining of the.war fails, all classes will he drawn into the maelstrom of the disaster. Personal liberties will go by the hoard and freedom as we have long known it, become a memory of the past. While the war lasts, and while there is the necsesity to organise and regulate sooipt-y, the war regulations must be respected. The cost of living must bo endured to the uttermost if need bo, and after all it were, a trifle to pay, if thereby we might be assured of winning the war. The whole task is so stupendous, and the duty so imperave that, it will be a poor day indeed for our national character and well-be-ing of we relax for one moment in the task of winning the war.