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Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1922, Page 2

Mu MasskY has left unfilled his-prnm-ise "to put something better” in the place of the Second Ballot. \\ hen the Second Billot was in vogue, Reform was not adverse to using the possibilities of the system for party benefit. When a Reform candidate could not succeed in an election, the next best step was to try and ount the Liberal—the most legitimate of the opponents of the Reform Party—and assist a Labor candidate into Parliament. Reform hatried verv hard to wrest Westland trom the Liberals. Labor too, lias tried. I tot 1 1 have signally failed. On the present occasion there is a group ol candidates. and Reform has two champions in the field evidently with*some expectation, and certainly desire, of defeating the Liberal, and in the scramble permitting one of the Reform candidates or the Labor representative in. Vote splitting might possibly bring about- the result the Party Reformers are aiming for—the defeat of the Westland Liberal ; but Westland has been Liberal so long, and W’estland has been distinguished for its loyalty so long, that before the bulk of the pro-lte-formers vote tliev will he moved to seriously consider the issue, and see that their vote is not wasted with the hope merely of defeating the Liberal that Westland may he represented possibly bv Labor. 11l point of tact, judging bv the signs, the issue m this electorate" rests between Liberal and Labor, and the result depends on the vote splitting indulged in by the proRelormers. If the pro-Roformers desire to assist towards the return of Labor, they will vote for Reform. II on the other hand they wish to see Westland ably represented by one of proved lovalty to the country, and ol capable ability to do credit to the people as a whole, they will cast thenvotes for the Liberal and so make assurance doubly sure beyond all possible doubt whatever.

M|, Massky had n very cardial reception last night when he spoke at the Princess Theatre under “rush” conditions. His speech under the circumstances was only something of a scamper, hut brief as it- was it had its notable points for comment. Mr -"assev was very frank, for instance about his confession of failure in the administration of the soldier settlement schemes. It is evident that the country is going to make a heavy loss on the land deals, running into millions. T.t is verv proper of course that this loss should not fall on the soldiers. The Government stood as their advisers and the men should not. be the victims of the Ministry’s had management. The position as now fully revealed discloses the failure of the-Go-vernment to deal with adequate capacity. with a very important land matter. Mr Massey’s plea that the Government had carried on successfully during the strenuous years of office, did not give a word of credit to the selfsacrificing Liberals who put their country before party and who were the real administrators to pilot the country through the war period. Sir Joseph Ward. Mr Russell. Mr MacDonald, Mr Hanan, Mr Wilfonl were all Liberals holding important portfolios and surely in fairness some credit is due to them. Sir Joseph’s services as Minister of Finance were of outstanding merit and the country as a matter of fact, sorely needs him to-day in office. Apropos of the Ministerial success claimed we are wondering if Mr Massey should he personally among the defeated next week, who of bis party is capable to lead. When Mr Massey went to England, a temporary leader was taken from the Upper House! Mr M issoy’s Ministry is not the strong combination some people try to •believe, for without Mr Massey the party would be like a house built of a pack of cards. Mr Massey’s praise for the Advances to Settlers Office is belated praise because Air Massey has spoken of it—when being created as constituting “a State pawn-shop.” The Prime Minister made an appeal in closing his address for the official Reform candidate. Surely in a district such ns this- the home of Liberalism, the stronghold of the greatest of our Premiers. Richard John Seddon—such an appeal is sadly out of place, and quite out of tune with the rolitienl feeling. The present member for Westland, Mr Tom Seddon, is a native Westlnnder, who has taken in Liberalism as part of his birthright. He lv’s qualities which commend him to any society. Ho liajS a life of sendee for King and country which could not he excelled. The testimonies of both lenders of the opposing parties who have visited Hokitika this wedk, hare acknowledged indirectly the services he ha s rendered the electorate. As Mr B. Ward remarked so appropriately at Arahurn last evening, Mr Seddon enjoys a personal popularity in the House of Parliament and exercises .an influence it would be difficult to equal.

Very good. The side lie espouses in Parliament is the loyal side. It fits in with the national feelings of the people here. It is a side which brought progress and prosperity to New Zealand and Mr Seddon’s local representation has been painstaking and consistent throughout. Mr Massey did not strike a responsive note when he appealed for the Reform candidate, and in fairness to the Prime Minister it might be added the appeal did not sound very convincing. e.