The Hokitik Guardian TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th, 1921 THE DIVIDED HOUSE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1921, Page 2

The Hokitik Guardian TUESDAY, NOVEMBER Bth, 1921 THE DIVIDED HOUSE.

Thu Government did not greatly null the Auckland East, seat, its majority in the House of Representatives already being large enough to make its position secure lor the lile ol flic piesent T’arliamunt in any conceivable -ireumstances, but Ministers had set their heart on success and tlioy have got their desire. With tlic fine organisation behind Mr Chitlin Mackenzie and with the'opposition to (lie Reform candidate divided into three separate camps, 1111 V other result seemed -highly improbable from the first. As it turnad out the “tipsters” indicated the result very closely, placing the four candidates in order they subsequently appeared on the poll, and estimating tlieir votes within hundreds. Tint Mr Mackenzie will make an industrious and conscfentioiis representative of the constituency we have no doubt, but that be will achieve to the distinction of his predecessor in tin- -eat

is rather too much to hope. I In- Hon. A. M. Alvei- possesses qualities wlii.-h f,.« nun caii-y to Parliament. in liu,.<iiiiilr\ and it is a thousand pities-that -it a time w lic-u 11 qualities arc 'l M - I i dly ii'-edcil 111 the counsels 111 til,, ua- (,<;■ his seivii.-s should not lie at ticdisposal of tin- Stall-. In bis a I,sene'-.

i.illi.we should have like.i :- set- the electors of Auckland l'-SM shoe ing a la-tier appreciation ot tin alui itv ami e - Npericnee ot Mr G. \\ . I’m, -ell wlm carried tin- Liberal basin-vit-h ail bis nei-iislumed vim and -■<" ■ ag. in a bnp-'le.-s eolitust. Rarely ha tin- Dominion bad in its Cabinet a bet

Ut administrator than Mi Itussell proved himself to be when ji member of the National (Jovciuiumiit during ihe course of t Ih* win*. -Hi is much \* admitted <*\*<*l l by. 1 1 is political opponent.". Ho* lesson of till* however, is thold on*. which th.- progressive partus so.‘in so inea pa I*h •of 10. lining. 11 h* »> • wi jr 2.VJ.*> electors supporting Mr Mac k»’iifcir mill til** do<triiK<s for n hirli If st<»o« 1 and IIIMO opposing him and lii 4 - dort.linos, and yet h,» wn«* rolurmal triumphantly at tin* load ot 11 1» • poll to j«un tin* score of Mr M:»sm.*\V sup porters in the House who ale in a similar position. The Prime Minister professes to believe that his candidate would have been returned had he encountered only one opponent, and we are not going to speculate just now upon the foundations of his belief. Put we cannot help thinking that if the Minister really believed majority rule would suit his party as well as minority rule has done, long before this he would hare, given the electors the “something better" lie promised them when he repealed the second ballot.