Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12th, 1920.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12th, 1920.

The contest for the Paisley seat in the House of Commons has developed into a notable event, by reason of.the fact that Rt. Hon. Mr Asquith is the Liberal candidate. Mr Asquith if elected would return to the part of the leader of H. M. Opposition, and as such, judging by his electoral campaign, he would be a formidable critic and opponent for the Government to meet.- The Coalition Ministry, of which Mr Lloyd George is the Prime Minister had a sweeping victory at the last elections, but since then the byelections have been going in the main against them. A strong opposition would be a good corrective for any gounmixed evil were the brilliant Mr Asvernmeiit, so that it would not be an quitli re-elected to Parliament. Mr As. quith was Premier of Great Britain when the die was cast for the great war, and be has never received at the hands of the people full credit for the part he played in that great national crisis, Mr Asquith is a Liberal first, and always, and did not favor, nor does he to-day, a Coalition Ministry. He is a strong party man, and as jsuch • believes in party politics as the soundest form of government. The election is naturally exciting great interest in political circles. It is a three-cornered contest, the Government, Liberals and Labor, each having a candidate, apd each straining hard for the victory. The potential value of such, a representative as VMr Asquith in Parliament should be au inducement for the elecItors of Paisley to fix their choice on him. His daughter who has joined the wom*n forces supporting th,e various candidates, is said to be one of Mr Asquith's principal platform assets in the great fight. Mr Asquith is himself an orator of b'igh degree, but probably it is that the novelty of lady speakers on general politics has ©aught the public-imagination, and Mr Asquith’s daughter having inherited some of her father's platform ability, has been taking the political meetings by storm. The Government at Home has a very full hand, and they have many sin? of omission, rather than those of commission. The reconstruction after the war is more easy to talk about than bring about in fact. There are stupendous 0 difficulties at every turn, and while critics may deal with isolated subjects to their hearts’ delight, the Government have the whole business of the country to consider and handle with circumspection. There are many thousands of millions involved and this responsibility cannot be dealt with lightly, nor simply as the heart distates. Government must peifoioe move circumspectly, and the delay at- Home has beep aggravating their opponents. However the voice of the people is being proclaimed through the ballot box, and those directions have their effect on the ways of Parliament. The Pais, ley fight will carry a good deal of weight in this respect, and for that reason the contest takes on quite a national interest. The result will be await, cd with yopy great interest if not actual concern.