The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, MAY 3rd, 1922. POLITICAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, MAY 3rd, 1922. POLITICAL.

This address at Christchurch, of Mr Holland, the leader of the Labour Parliamentary party, leaves no doubt as to the political issues at the forthcoming general elections. On the last occasion of an appoal to the public, the Reform party in a general way in most electorates, wont the length of associating Liberals and Labor in an unholy Alliance. The Liberals were at pains to deny the allegations.but for propaganda purposes tin! Reformers found it help- ' fill to maintain the liction throughout the polling. On this occasion, thus ear--1 ly in the fray, the Labor party übsolu- ! tely disowns the Liberals, and lays the flat,cling unction to its soul that the next appeal to the country will be a dej oision ns between Labor and Reform. If that were to be so. it would be safe to back the latter for a very handsome win. However, Mr Holland who lends the Labor party ill Parliament, has • party with about eight followers, while it is admitted the Liberals have 14. The new United party of sane Labor and Liberals will number considerably morb, Hut for the moment that does not matter. It is interesting to have Mr Holland’s plain statement of the facts and to know that the party I led by him stands absolutely independent of the Liberals. Mr Wilford, the leader of the new party of United,s, has made the same point plain from I his i>oint. of view in his Hutt Speech, but it is as well to have tile confirmation from the only other source which can speak authoritatively. Air Holland in his present electioneering mission is endeavouring to make the national contest an issue solely between bis party and the Government. But. the, signs are already very clear that the 1 main issue will be between the Government and the Uniteds. New Zealand is not disposed to favor the party which Mr Holland leads. That section of Labor has been on trial in Australia and has been found wanting. There :s a very close alliance lietween the political Labor parties in Australia rnj New Zealand, and there has been amp’e opportunity of judging as to the capabilities of that class of J,ih„r organ Is.tion to govern. Even in Australia the political Laboiites are disagreeing, and forming separate parties, so that i!i< ~abor party is not as stable within itself its inigkt he supposed, In New Zealand there is a Labor element which is on a very different footing to the political Labor party espoused liv Mr Holland. Mr Veiteli and Mr Kellett are representatives of the Labor order who can find a common cause in the progressive policy of the Liberals worthy enough of support. The fusion of this Labor element with the Liberals, coupled with that of the radical Reformers of Air Statham’s leanings, is going to make the United party very .formidable opponents in the coming trial of strength. It is impossible to forecast the next election, because tl:e result will be giverned by the class of contests in the various electorates. Probably in most districts the polling will lie on the tri-party system, and that under the present system of voting will make the results very unceitnin. There is 110 hope, of course, of the Gi.- j vrnment, introducing preferential voting for the next, election. AVere it to do so, the triumphant return of the Uniteds would doubtless be ussured. Air Alassey and his following will stick to the bridge which has hitherto carried them over, and for that reason may be expected to have the best advantage in a three-cornered encounter. Certainly if Mr Holland’s forecast is true—a test between Radical labor and the Massey party, the latter will be absolutely safe all along the line.