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Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1922, Page 2

Tun loyalty cry is going to be made to do duty at the coming election. his is probably due to the iact of its rather effective use at the last election, combined witli the further fact that it will help camouflage the absence ol policy t n the present occasion. The cry was raised by Reform three years ago in the desire to associate Liberals and Labour under “the red flag.” Mr Massey lias said already that the coming election is l" be between flic I’nion Jack and tin- Red Flag, lie bus been called to account sharply for this statement. and in view of the fact that the last by-election went to the Labour candidate it is not a very happ£_ prospect for the Prime Minister to place before the country. However, the Minister seems desirous to associate the two branches of the opposition, and in particular seeks to attach a stigma to the Liberals who arc "likely to become a prime factor in the coming contest. So far as the “loyalty stunt”—as it is being culled—is concerned, the Liberals did their part in the war and pre-war times beyond complaint. The stroke in regard to defence matters when the, battleship “New Zealand” was provided was alleged to be a. phase of jingoism oven by the Reform party. The Liberals had to endure much odium because of that policy stroke, but the “New Zealand” proved her worth and influence during the war and no ship of the navy had a more enviable record for battle service. When war came the liberals dropped their identity and joined the National Government and the brilliance of the Liberal help loyally given throughout those stressful times, is beyond question. What was done then by tlie Liberals in regard to financial administration alone, is in sharp contrast to what lias happened since. So we reach he very definite conclusion that to chide the Liberal party about alleged disloyalty is not only untrue but also ungenerous/Tho record of the party in power arid out, has been always ahsoTufe loyalty of the finest brand.

Tire grave complaints made in regard to the condition of portion of the main south road, should bring matters to a

climax. The fact that the road has been allowed to get out of control is so: ions enough, but that it is permitted to remain in that condition, and the harmful traffic is allowed to continue unrestricted, is more serious. For many years the road surface of the main south road was the boast of the district. The only fly in the ointment then was the want of bridges. Tireless advocacy for the bridging of the rivers was carried on, till to-diiy the early completion of the bridges over the main streams is in sight. But at this juncture the road is allowed to drift into a condition which for motor traffic will prove impassable, and will cause many AVostland tours by outside motorists to bo abandoned. The efforts to advertise the district with a view to attracting holiday makers will all go for nought if the road traffic is not letter controlled. AM the local bodies and many of the public men of tlio district have been devoting time and money to the advertising o|‘ the south is a most attractive holiday resort. There were many signs that they had achieved marked success but judging by the* remarks at the Chamber of Com-

merce meeting on Tuesday night those high hopes of a big influx of visitors to the glacier region in tho coming summer stand in jeopardy. The matter is in a position now where it cannot bo allowed to remain. Something definite must lie done to provide for the public traffic in such’ a way that the roads will be nil attraction and not a menace to the visiting traffic. A degree of control will have to be introduced which will place lie matter beyond all doubt, and the local authorities—nil of which are interested in the matter—will require to take up the question of the extraordinary damage to the roads in a very definite manner.