The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9th, 1922. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9th, 1922. THE WEEK.

Mn Marhky must he looking hack on Thursday’s poll with considerably mixed feelings. As the Prime Minister and dictating head of the Reform party, he had absolute sway in the -•election of his standard-bearers, and we know what his party did for 'Westland in nominating an official Reform candidate. Not only did the party put a third candidate in the field for this eostituoncy, but Air Massey at the risk of his health and great strain on his valuable time, devoted two days arduous travelling to come to Westland and deliver four speeches in favour of his candidate. Mr Massey performed this feat with his eyes open and with the full knowledge he was driving in a wedge to oust a Liberal and put in a Labor candidate of what is styled the Red Fed division. Air Massey seemed to be reflecting on wliat he was doing after he left Westland, for only oil Tuesday last after returning to Wellington, he began to lecture tbc electors generally on the obvious effects of vote-splitting. He proceeded to remark to a pressman as follows: “I take tbc liberty of suggesting that those electors, hv whatever political names they call themselves, or are called, should not allow their votes to lie nullified by having them recorded for candidates who themselves have little or no chance of lieing elected, hut who, by taking votes away from others stronger than themselves jeopardise the chances and weaken the position of tile Government. I do not l Link there is anything unreasonable in tin's request. With goixl citizens the interests of the country come first every time.” Now, Air Massey must bo a greater humbug than we thought, if wliat be said at Hokitika, Greymouth and Otira in favor of his Reform candidate, was liis considered opinion and judgment. He appears on the other hand if we accept his Wellington statement to have deliverately misled his Westland supporters. Air Massey has not played tlie game with Westland, either to the interests ot his own supporters or that of the Liberals. Probably the latter did not expect it in the preelection period, but Air Al asset- is now l>iping n different tune.

I iib Refoi m or squatters journal in Wellington also piped a somewhat similar tune t., Air Atassc.v on the eve of t lie election in regard to vote splitting. I he paper coolly remarked on the eve of the polls that the mission of the Liberals was to split votes with the object of affording “an opportunist combination of Wilfordites and revolutionary Socialists” to rule. That statement was vilely untrue and grossly ungenerous. It is more so to-day when Air Massey is appealing to the alleged “down and out” Liberals to come over mid help him. Off every platform the Reform flhndidates were declaring as the Reform candidate did here, that the Milford party ‘‘if in power would be dictated to by the revolutionary Socialists.” There was much that the Reform leaders and supporters would like to recall to-day—both in words and deeds. We can imagine that in their hearts the pro-Refonners of Westland who voted Reform to Mock tlu- return of the Liberals, are not feeling very pleased with themselves.-But they did the deed with their eyes open and against advice. They have to accept the consequences of their votes, they Rre as pinch rfisprmsjble. %

the Labor representation of Westland 1 ns the most ardent Labor man whose anthem is the “Rod Flag,” and who voted solidly for the Labor candidate from conviction and desire. Air Alassey, and no doubt his party organ at Wellington now realises that the only ’ way of saving the situation is a coalition with the Liberals. Mr Wilford’s ‘ party is oil the box seat so to speak. The Leader of the Liberal party is exercising a discreet silence at present to await the filial figures when the actual strength of the almost equilateral tri- , angle can be considered in all its bearings. The country can repose a good deal of confidence in Air Wilford at any rate, for he has declared and acted up to the precept which Air Massey rather mangled—his country before party, every time.

Some interesting figures have been taken out in connection with the Al ostland polling. At Hokitika three years ago, the voting was, Air Seddon 709, AL-’ O’Brien 331. This week’s voting was All* Seddon ooo> Air O’Brien 376, Air Steer 292, Air Lynch 76. The sitting member certainly polled well here all things considered. That the polling was heavy locally is indicated by the fact that the previous poll was 1040, and this necks 1244. At Greymouth the figures three years ago were:—Air Seddon 1460, All O’Brien" 942, a total of 2402. This week: Air O’Brien 987, Air Steer 949. Air Seddon 525, Air Lynch 180, a total of 2641. At Ross the figures in 1919, were. Air O’Brien 113, and Air Seddon 141, a. total of 254. On Thursday the Ross voting was Air O’Brien 102, All Seddon 04, Air Steer 41. Air Lynch 10, reaching 256. Kmnarri three years ago gave Air Seddon 165, and Air O Bricn 107. a total of 272. This week, the totals were Air Seddon 105, Air O’Biiou 80, All- Steer 32, Air Lynch 10, or a total of 233. In the country districts, the candidates had varying fortunes, hut at every booth, almost. Air Seddon suffered from the vote-splitting while Labor remained solidly Labor all through. Despite Air O’Brien’s substantial majority this week his voting strength did not show a remarkable increase, so that it is evident his election was due to the fortunate circumstances of the vote-splitting resulting from the number of opposing candidates. Mr O’Brien is now the Member for Westland, subject to the official declaration, and he will carry a considerable burden for it is an exacting constituency and the constituents expect a great deal. It will take Air O’Brien some Uttl<* time to acquire a grasp of the reins, and for that reason ho will need all the support he cimi get to assist linn with his task. In the interests of the community generally this-should he forthcoming. and if Mr O’Brien is given a fair deal no doubt he will put forward his own best efforts to reciprocate and earn tlie good will of the people.

Till-: Licensing polling is not yet complete. for apart fioui the mass oi figures so far available, there are still the iihsent votes and other permits to be counted. It is clear that license has another lease, and this time by a substantial majority. It is interesting to | refer back to past polls. In 1914 the following was the polling: For licenses to continue ... 237,188 For restoration 3/ ,21 1 274,405 For No-license 229,474 For non-restoration 41,817 271,291 The majority in favour of continuance was thus 3,114 votes. At the special poll in April 1919 the voting was: For Continuance 204,189 For Prohibition with Compensation 253,82< Majority for license ... 10,3(52 At December 1919. the voting was: National Continuance ... 241,252 State Purchase & Control 32,201 273,513 National Prohibition 270,252 Majority for license ... 3,2(51 The unofficial figures given in respect to this week’s poll are: National continuance 272,443 State Purchase & Control 34,2(51 306,704 National Prohibition 290,500 Majority for License ... 16,144 Tub licensing voting was a subject of great interest yesterday in the desire to glean how the licensed trade had fared. In Westland three years ago totals were, for continuance 3901, State purchase and control 490. national prohibition 2468. This was a total poll of 0859, and the majority against national prohibition was 1923. Yesterday's figures are not complete as about 200 absent votes, and olectoial vigil's are yet to be added, but of the known poll of 7522 votes, there is a majority against national prohibition of 2278 votes. This is practically the same ratio of voting strength allowing for the increased number of votes recorded. Westland Inis therefore maintained its reputation as a strong supporter of the licensed house. Throe years ago 543.762 votes were recorded in the Dominion licensing poll, and with seven returns to come (at the time of writing) this total has been exceeded, reaching 548,489. In the past the majority against, national prohibition lias not been relatively large in view of the size of the poll. But. on this occasion a substantial jump is made, and as against 3,201 three years ago. the majority now will be in the region of 17.000 or more. It is high time that there was an equitable review of the licensing law in which the interests of all were concerned. If reforms of any value to the public are to bo looked for, the period between the polls should be extended in order to justify tlic property ■ holders expending any considerable sum in extensive improvements and furnishings. There is every likelihood of tile licensing fees being reviewed and placed on a more equitable basis as between townships, towns and cities. Tf more is to he expected from the licensed house in the way of better accommodation and modern conveniences, the tenure must surely be reviewed. It would be an economy all round. The triennial upsetting at the prpsgnt periods Is vary costly to all ffifl:

cerned. It costs the country thousands of pounds to conduct the elections so frequently, ahd judging by the consistent voting term by term against prohibition, it is reasonable in public interests to review tenure and make a fresh and more equitable arrangement which will lie to the benefit of all concerned and greatly so to the public at large.