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Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1918, Page 2

The Socialist Conference which has just risen from its highly important session in England has indicated by its resolves, that the way of the war for the past few weeks lias had a sobering effect on the extremists of that party. The breakdown of Russia internally has disclosed how unready the democracy was to grapple with the circumstances of their own creation. Never was there, a more terrible lesson on the folly of swapping horses when crossing dangerous Water. The Russian situation has but one redeeming feature, and flint is the highly important- lesson it conveys to the world in the matter of violent changes of government. The last stage of Russia is infinitely worse than the first, and the end is not yet. Whatever freedom and unity there were in Russia went by the ljonrd at the time of the revolution. Matters grew worse confounded till now the nation finds itself under the heel of a conquering ruthless foe, who in license and demands is proving more exacting than the bitter days of serfdom. The Rus- j siaii experiences are a warning and a lesson to all the world, and to that extent the occasion is not without its value to the misguided peoples whose

social thoughts wore trending in a similar direction. Whatever freedom we enjoy we owe it to the maintenance of law and order. Let that authority break down, and chaos results. The Socialists in conference have realised at last what domination by the Central Powers means, and they are now shaping a course in keeping with the advice bluntly tendered to them by Mr. Lloyd George that as regards the war they must “go on, or go under,’’

Br way of reaction in public thought an 'Unnecessary amount of attention is being turned upon the Wellington North election to he decided to-mor-row. Strange to say the Premier is mainly to blame for the situation created, and the doubt existing as to whether the National Government candidate will he elected. Mr. Massey as leader of the Reform party had the right to select the party candidate for | the seat. Tlis choice from a party | point of view has not been satisfactory. I Tt was strongly dissented from by prominent city men and it was soon | apparent there Would he open hostility j to Mr. Massey’s choice. It was the first occasion in the history of the Reform party that then* was an open breach of this nature, and the political occurrence was such as to excite wide j interest. The difference has not been | healed, though it might have been thought with the issues what they i were, sensible men would have come | together, and maintained the traditions | of the party. An opponent of the Reform oolor, is out specially to oppose Mr. Massey’s own candidate. This will weaken the latter to some extent. Then we have an Independent Liberal in the field, who is out mainly to expose Defence methods. This candidate will; likewise, weaken the National candidate. Finally, there is the Labour candidate who is opposed to the- 1 Government and the military service conditions, and lie will have his sup. port in direct opposition to the National candidate. It is difficult to foretell the. result at this distance, hut the quidnuncs are now apparently satisfied that despite the well organised opposition, the National Government candidate will secure the seat.