THE CANDIDATES.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1922, Page 2

THE CANDIDATES.

Time is hastening to the threshold of the parliamentary election affecting the representation of AVestland for the coming term. Tim, electors have a wider choice than usual. There aie four candidates representing the three parties constituting the political situation at present. Reform has two standard bearers one, the official candidate. and tlio other, an independent. Labor has a more redoubtable candidate than either of the two Reform candidates. while the Liberal party is again represented by the sitting member who bears a name and a reputation honored throughout the land. In studying the claims and the chances of the candidates, it is interesting to recall that this constituency lias been pronouncedly Liberal throughout its association with responsible government. AA’lien the pioneers cartre to open up and settle this district those who did not bring with them art atmosphere of freedom of thought and a humane litre of notion in regard to the public weal, found here a free and open civilisation where freedom of thought and comradeship in action engendered those ideals of life and living which produced both Liberal thought and action in the political environment. Conservatism never took a hold here. \A’e had its disciples and its leaders in thought, but the Coast as a whole, and Westland itr particular, would have none of it. The evolution of a school of thought itr AVestland towards conservatism (which has been dubbed Reform) was the result of circumstances following the demise of the late Air Seddon. Whert the time came to fill his place we had two candidates and both were Liberals. The rivalry went on from time to time, and the seeortd candidate gradually veered from his old love through ft course of “independence” {ill he found himself in the Reform fold, His fol-

lowers strayed with him, and so bj a gradual process which can hardly he called conviction, the party for Reform took root. But genetically, we are persuaded, AVestland is souridly Liberal all the time, arid it might well remain SO, fop no party has had so much in common with the ideals dr the people ns '« whole than the Liberals. As to the candidates now offering it is only necessary to say that of the Reform representatives one indeed was a sycophantic follower ol tile late Mr Seddon, while the other like all Coasters has fixed ideas as to the political virtues of the Liberal - policy. Both these gentlemen, although standing beneath the Reform b’jnnOr, are among the critics of the preserifc Government. and have criticised the Re-

form policy in respect to railways, board of trade matters etc., very dam- I agingly. Their part in the present con- | test appears to he mainly that of vote- | splitting. They will cause considerable , vote-splitting, but it appears on the j face of it. that votes cast for them will I he largely wasted effort, for their j chances of success are the least !m| res- i sive. There remains Liberal and Labor. the Labor candidate follows the extreme section of Labor which, in

this part, of the electorate, at all events, has nevOi 1 been able to secure a substantial footing. The candidate contesting the seat is making bis second essay, and in point of fact lie is the most dangerous oppohent to the sitting member. to "hat extent Reform hopes to help defeat the Liberal candidate of proved ability, and above all, loyalty, is not disclosed; but if by any mischance the Liberal should not be first past the post, it "ill be due to the wasted votes for Reform, which in the ordinary course .would go to the Liberal being otherwise diverted to a hopeless cause, so far as the constituency is concerned. Rut the Liberal candidate has such personality to his credit and advantage, that when the testing time comes, and the electors retire to the booth to exercise tlieir democratic rights, the "hole position in tlie majority of minds will be weighed with such care and forethought that the votes will lie cast intelligently and with the s'liglc purpose of arriving at the greatest good for the greatest number. It will he to the advantage of the constituency to send to Parliament one who enjoys the respect and even confidence of all sides in politics. One who has experience, who has talents, who lias immediate prospects should a change of government he impending after next ’l'iiursday. in Sir Seddon Westland has had a worthy champion of the public rights, who in the great test of manhood rose superior to the occasion, and served the Empire no less tiiati the Dominion in the world’s greatest war. In 1906 Mr Seddon turned from the career opening befoie him in other avenues to take a place where the name he bore was emblazoned above all other name*. He lias done well and gone far. It is tor the electors on Thursday to show their appreciation of those unselfiisli national services.