Westland Politics.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1922, Page 4

Westland Politics.

(Lyttelton Limes comment) Mr T. E. Y. Scddon, tho Liberal ( member for Westland, lias, we believe been charged with the crime of having voted in the same lobby as Mr Hoi- j land. Mr Steer, one of the Reform ■ aspirants for the seat, has bec-n supplied with full particulars to prove this accusation. The details are, however, rather too complete, for there is such a thing a.s overdoing it. On one of the occasions when Mr Holland and Mr Seddou were in the some lobby, Mr R. A. Wright, a. very good Reformer, was also discovered there. No doubt he had lost his way and strayed by accident into the company of the wick; ed people who voted, against the Government; but unfortunately the fact is recorded in ‘Hansard?—a publication which ought obviously to be suppressed by Act of Parliament. No. wet are not quite correct. “Han sard” records, not that the good Mr Wright actually went into the wrong lobby, but that, be “paired” against the good Massey Government. there, may, of course, bo a large moral dif-i ferenco between a vote and a. pair, and we are quite ready to be told that while Mr Scddon’s act was a crime. Mr Wright’s was. say. a peccadillo. Butt there is more in it than this. People who arrange For pairs usually do i.nr.ntiLA rliov want to no home fo

bed and leavci the work of Parliament to the other members—so Mr Wright was shirking apparently. Then a pair requires a. confederate. To pair against tho Government Mr Wright had to obtain tile assistance of a loyal supporter ; therefore, be bad an accomplice. He bad more, indeed, for ! at least nna of the good Reform whips must ; have been a party to the dreadful deed. I■ < pairing against the Government and miming away, instead of doing bis duty and voting for the Government. Mr Wright gave Mr Holland an additional vote, thereby injtiring the good Reform Party, and. ‘ incidentally, risking the safety of the Empire. Mr J. 1). Lynch, the “Independent Reform,’’ candidate for Westland, seems to be just about as independent as most of the people who so masquerade in politics, which means that, be is no more independent that a piece of thistledown. He says he stands for 'Reform, Liberalism and Labour, and be is “no party man.” However, be has an intense admiration for Mr Massey. and is prepared to vote for him in a, no-confidi »iee division, because be says bis independence is of the same kind as Sir Andrew Russell's. ) et. oil the other band, lie must be given a .“free band.” He believes in a State

bank, is prepared to support < ithor pro - liibition or continuance (whichever the people want), thinks “financial aflairs in New Zealand want to be altered a lot,” declares against immigration until bouses are available, and is convinced that there is “something wrong” with the railways. There also seems to be something wrong with Mr Lynch’s attitude on the party question.