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Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1922, Page 2

Is contemplating the issues surrounding the election to take place in this electorate on Thursday, the services of the sitting member must necessarily come under review. Air Seddon was elected in 1906, and since then he has given constant and careful consideration to the wants of the district, whether in regard to roads and bridges, public buildings or other public works, including railways as also to legislation of a remedial nature affecting the welfare of disti ict industries. In regard to both mining and timber matters, Ali- Seddon lias been of very vital service, securing amendments to the law, which under a less experienced mid influential representative would not have been possible. There was the notable ease only iately where an important amendment was secured by Air Seddon’s interposition almost as the act was about to be signed by the Governo;-General. In regard to roads and bridges. Air Holland has praised the position in AVestland, and the people here know what Air Seddon Ims done in that respect. Although AL Seddon was in Opposition for the past ten years, Air Massey has confessed the Government has been most kind to AVestland. During that period Air Seddon’s personal popularity must ha\c been helpful with the powers that be. in the effort to secure, say. the lino of , bridges spanning, rivers on the great ! south road. This in itsedf was a not- ' able achievement, hut it was only a part of the service done in that respect. for Air Seddon has secured dis-

trict roads and works in all directions. As to the personal influence of the Afembov for AVestland with Alinisters, there is the testimony of visiting Afblisters themselves in respect to Air Seddon’s personal appeal. Both the Alinister of Public AVorks (Air Coates) and the Alinister of Alines (Mr A»derj sen) have gone out of their way to i speak, to give unstinted praise to Air Seddon as a most capable representaI five. The fact is that Air Seddon is : more than liked by his colleagues in the House of Representatives—lie lias endeared himself to them, and t is is emphasised by the familiar w. v in which they addiess the member by bis Christian name. Air Seddon is one of these outstanding characters in Parliament. virile and strong, yet lovable and c.f pleasant disposition—a man I among men. Really in contemplating the issues for Thursday, it seems indeed that AA'estland is most fortunate in having so fine a personality offering for selection. His influence and ability are undoubted, and if AA’estland is seeking, as wo believe it is, the most worthy representative its choice will not stray beyond Air Seddon, tl’e sitting member, who has done the constituency great service, and before whom wider opportunity for greater service may possibly open soon.

T'hkiik is one aspect of the AA’estland election now drawing to a close which presents itself to our mind as being worth referring to, and that is the attempted dictation by outside influences to warp the judgment of the electors on polling day. In the desire, if not determination of Labor and Reform jointly and severally, to wrest the AA’cstlaiul seat from the present Liberal occupant, the rival parties working in unison towards their common objective have seen fit to send along their political chieftains. Bringing up such heavy metal is n great compliment to Mr Tom Seddon, but it Is hardly cm-

plimentary to tlie electors who have rightly in the past, claimed the privilege of deciding the issue for themselves. West Coasters have been able to think very intelligently in matters political and it is riot too rriuch to say that tiie interloping visits are greatly resented. Mr Holland and his colleagues. including the Labor candidate ' now before Westland, are never tired of praising the policy of the late Mr Seddon, and exalting to the skies his i magnificent services for the worker in particular and the country at large. Yet. what must we think of the sincerity of such people when their present effort is to oust the son of the great man whom they profess to regard as such an ideal? Again, Mr Massey pro-

fesses ho is the modern UDerm, mu that be stands to-day where Mr Seddon stood of yore! The hypocrisy of j it all—after the way in which Mr Massey opposed nil of Mr Seddon’s ad- I vnncod laws a couple of decades ago! 1 Ts it to be accepted that Mr Massey | could under any circumstances ho converted to the broad lines of the Liberal policy framed and focussed for the masses, while he has all along been devoting llis legislation arid administration for the benefit of vested interests? Vet these are the party leaders who would seek to dictate to Westland above all places to change its political faith. "Westland for fifty years m good times and bad. in the reign el

Conservative and jjnerai, m's rem - j esd always staunchly Liberal, and having at its call now so worthy a repre--1 sentative as Mr'Seddon who has inj herited Liberalism as a birthright, | what occasion is there to go further, i or to stray from its old love, forsake Liberalism and choose Labor or Reform in its stead? The feeling throughout the district, we are persuaded, is to repudiate the appeals of those who would seek to dictate to the electors rf Westland any other course than that which the electors have chosen always for themselves—the cause of straight and true Liberalism.

A proposal to provide a returned soldiers’ club is being brought forward, and a meeting is to be held in a week’s time to consider the nialtter. It is one worthy of the best support, both of the returned men and tbe citizens, who will, no doubt, take a iively interest in the project if it being fairly launched.. At the Into reunion when Col. Young was a visitor to the town, the matter, cropped up then, and Mr ,Leadley and other speakers spoke of the necessity of such a convenience as a means to stlilluliite local interest ill the working of the soldiers’ organisation. The people here have been ready always to co-operate in. that respect, and there was.tlic< promise when the soldiers were ready to set about providing a clubroom that assistance would be forthcoining from the public. At tbe meeting to bo held next week it is intended also to invite the attendance of service men generally who have been associated with tire army and navy, and also those of the public who would he prepared to become honorary members. The liioveimut dumb! thus have very general support, blit the mainspring for action must eoino from tilt* returned men themselves who will he the backbone of the movonijiit, and in whose interests specifically the proposal lias been mooted. There is the want of such a place in Hokitika, and there is room for a men’s club, and if the project is happily launched there is no doubt why it should not be a useful institution for the benefit of the soldiers in particular and the patronising public in general. It remains therefore for the men to make a poiru of attending next week’s meeting in force, and showing by then personal attendance that they welcome the proposition in a- practical way.