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Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1923, Page 2

Til Kit K are all the prospects for a full dress battle for the Tamanga seat in Parliament rendered vacant by the lamented death of Sir William Hurries. Tho ollieiid Reform candidate is announced already, and appears in the person of a I.h - :iI resident. Labor talks of putting forward a champion, and the Liberal-Labor party is in sesssiou considering their choice of a candidate. .Meantime the not unwelcome announcement is made that Sir Joseph Ward would not lie averse to standing if his services were acceptable. Sir Joseph’s re-entry into active polities is overdue. He could have been there ere this if his health had permittd, and not the least pleasing aspect o! his possible candidature is the inference that his health has. improved so much that he feels able to again enter the political arena. The stillest proposition this country is up against at present is the financial issue. There is the heavy national debt, the fact that revenue and expenditure have not been balancing .satisfactorily and the overburdening taxation as a result. The presence of Sir Joseph in the counsels of the State would lie welcomed by all shades of political opinion at this stage for it is realised he has the ability to discuss the big figures in an interesting and informative way.

Should Sir Joseph Ward hi* returned to Parliament, the position of political parties will again become involved. Sir Joseph may not become the leader of the Liberals, but he would he something rather more than a first lieutenant to Mr Wilford. A victory for the ■Liberal candidate would take a vote from Reform and add one to the Liberal party. Both Messrs Jsitt and Witty were strong supporters of Sir Joseph and were another test division to come these gentlemen might reconsider thir position. Sir Joseph’s re-entry into polities will harden up affairs greatly. His reassociation with the Liberals will strengthen that party greatly in the country, for the Dominion has learned by experience how to appreciate the financial ability of that very capable. ex-Minister of Finance, if Sir Joseph is chosen for Tauranga, we shall not bo surprised to find the Reform party more anxious than ever for a fusion with the Liberals for the return of the ex-Prime Minister will add such political strength to the latter party from every point of view, that Mr Massey and his following cannot longer attempt to disparage the Liberal forces with any degree of earnestness. The eontost- for Tauranga is theiefore frought with great interest affecting the future political prospects of the country.

Thf. moving spirits in regard to the A., and P. Show at Greymouth have every reason to l>e pleased with the success attending the revival of the annual show at Greymouth this week. The whole display was a creditable one from every point of view and an evidence of the latest possibilities of the district. Exhibitions of the character referred to are of a distinctive value and the northern display fully indicated that. The attendance was very large, and the public bad plenty to engross their attention. Altogether the promoters must have felt well rewarded for their personal efforts to reestablish the show as an annual event. The management can look forward with great confidence.. to next year’s fixture, for bv then the district will l>e linked with Canterbury, and we arc hoping to see many stock exhibits finding their way to a more penruvn. snf fipfiuflilf? jvi'i (bp Puiifdi Tfie f-'dpsf-

[ generally can do with improved stock in all its divisions, and if the A. and P. Shows cater for the exhibits the | occasion .will he a ready means of re--1 vitalising the herds and flocks up and down the Coast. Shows ci.ndt cted to , that end will be fulfilling Hum main j objective, and the central situation of Greymouth lends itself to the purpose I particularly well. On that account the northern town should he much encouraged to continue its A. and P. annual gatherings.