Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1922, Page 2

The Labor party has much to say in the present geneinl election on the good work done by Air Seddon while Premier, and freely acknowledge that he not only laid but built up also, the creat super structure of the social legislation of the country which has helped the workers in particular to improve their position, and add greatly to their material prosperity, This generous .tribute is all to tbe credit of the Liberals, as lio doubt many students of the present contest have remarked. for the suggestion comes to the mind, if the Liberals could do such splendid work in the past, what is to prevent them extending it when they have the opportunity in the future more or less immediate. It is the Liberal party which has the earned record for sympathetic treatment of the peoples’ needs and none are better qualified to carry on the good work politically. The Liberal policy issued for the present campaign sets out in detail the principles upon which it will pursue general government if entrusted with the power. And in this district in particular, who is better able to cooperate with the T,il>eral party for the advancement of the policy, than the son of the great Premier the Labor party extols so much. He has a traditional understanding and conception of the sympathetic policy his father pursued, and he lias had experitVce now to take up the work wisely and well. With his expanded knowledge and understanding resultant from an advanced education and a period of travel abroad, Mr Seddon is eminently fitted for the legislative work ahead. He has represented this district now for sixteen years and has shown always a keen and sympathetic interest in the workers’ welfare. Those among the working class who wish for sane and sensible representation need not go further than the Liberal candidate in making their choice at the coming general election.

Thf. Labor paper on the Coast is making strenuous efforts to secure the return of Mr O’Brien for Westland. The paper rather goes to extreme lengths in its efforts to attain its single purpose. A paragraph in Saturday’s paper, for instance said: “Labor was a source of annoy ance to the Massey Party in the last Parliament. Make them a “confounded nuisance” this time hy voting for O’Brien.” We are sure the staid electors of Westland would not feel very pleased .next Friday morning if they woke up .fo find they had elected someone who was setting out to he a “confounded nuisance” in Parliament. Westland believes in decorous ways, in proceeding according to lnw and order, and it will not l>e a feather in the cap to have a representative who from the outset is going to take up an attitude of uncompromising hostility to the gov. eminent whether Reform or Libera]— for fortunately there is not ntiy pros-

pjpet of Extreme Labor passing into power this week. As the Westland contest has gradually been fining itself down to a test between Liberal and Labor, folk who do not favor extreme methods, and who in their political leanings may be pro-Reform, have now to choose how they will voto to provent Labor winning the seat. On the face of it Mr Seddon’,s chances arc most hopeful, but with the vote-split-ting possible from two Reform candidates in the field, it is a matter of conjecture with many whether the vote-splitting will not tie all to the advantage of Labor. It would be wise on tbe part of those who wish to avoid so serious a contingency, not to waste their vote on a candidate who cannot attain success, but to award it straight out to the Liberal candidate who by virtue of his long service and influential experience has no occasion to make himself a “confounded nuisance” in Parliament.

It is disappointing to find with the Christmas season approaching that the Borough Council has not moved long ere this with the loan scheme, ill order that at least some of the streets might by Ibis time be showing the improvement so much desired in their reconstruction. Many of the roads and footpaths me in a deplorable state. Revel] Street despite the very large amount of revenue tbe Council must deriving from that area—it getting quite out rtf liaild, and the same remark applies to other thoroughfares, from tile residents of which considerable revenue is received. The state of drift into neglect into which many parts of the town are passing is greatly to be deplore!, because on the threshold of a new era, the town should be smartened up, not allowed to he. neglected. At this time of the year, with the holidays in sight, the town is certainly in need of smartening up. There is sure to he aii increased influx of visitors over the holidays this season. The advance guard from Australia has arrived already and those responsible for the upkeep of the town should rise to the occasion and do things, not talk about them. The Borough Council has a responsibility in these matters which the ratepayers expect to sec discharged. The first duty or care of the Council is in regard to the upkeep of the thoroughfares. Rates are levied for the purpose and other income is available, and tile works should he attended to—not put off sine die. AYe do hope the Councillors individually and eollectively will take a personal grip of tilings and see that works crying out for attention are attended to without delay.

Ip jt were possible to secure the same interest in civic affairs as in general politics what a difference it would make to the comfort and even general health of communities. As regard ri\ ic elections, it is oitoil difficult to secure the number of candidates to complete the number required for the local body. In three or four months’ time the general election of mayors and councillors will come round, and the usual lack of public interest may be expected. Yet, in regard to civic government, it is just as necessary for the people to be interested because their personal welfare, and the advancement of their immediate surroundings are at stake. A good healthy contest for the mayoralty and the council seats would also lie of great advantage in focussing public opinion,'and of giving the representatives elected confidence to pursue a progressive and certainly an acti VO policy. As it is tbe local body procedure lias dropped into a groove, and it is necessary to see the controlling authority galvanised into greater activity than has been manifested of late. The town is well served in some respects bv tbe Council, alld has, in addition, the benefit of an enthusiastic Beautifying Society and a live Progress League, but the two latter bodies have not authority enough to go as far as they should. If the three institutions just referred to could be fused into orie active body, with the authority of the municipal act behind it, something might be doing. It is time certainly for the people to move and as we have said above, we can but deplore tile indifference, of the public, who as ratepayers must take their share of the blame for the neglected condition of the town, for they should seek for citizens to fill the responsible posts in local administration who will pledge themselves at the outset to carry through their part effectively and for the public good.