WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

THE TAURANGA FIGHT. I THE LAST STAGE. [SentiAt,- To Tin: Guakman.] WELLINGTON. Mii fell 26. Mr 1. M. M’ilford, the leader of tiio Libornl Opposition who dearly loves a political light, left for the scene of the lanranga campaign by the. Auckland tram on Saturday. At Marlon lie was joined by Mr Robert .Master-, the member for Stratford, and the two expected to he joined further on by Mr A) . A. Veitdi. the member for Wanganui. Air A\ ilford. seen at Thorndon railway station just before bis departure, said he knew no more about tlie prospects of the contest than lie had seen in the newspapers and “there the prospects seemed to depend upon Hie particular paper yon happened to he reading.” He was glad to he going to give a hand to Sir Joseph Ward and the Liberal-Labour cause largely because the appearance of himself and bis colleagues in the campaign would be the best possible answer to tbe silly story that Sir Joseph Ward was out of tune with the Liberal-Labour Party, and that the Party did not want to see him back in Parliament, lie hoped, moreover, to make it clear, with sin h opportunities as he might have in the constituency, that the Liberals were not actuated by an inordinate desire lor office, and that their concern just now was for the welfare of the country, not for their own political advancement. OUTSIDE ASSISTANTE. Reformers here, quite naturally, are making what capital they can out of what they call Sir Joseph Ward’s appeal for assistance. “This is characteristic of our friends on the other side.” Mr Wilford said as lie stepped on to his train on Saturday. “Ministers, headed by Mr Massey, have been overrunning tho constituency since the very day the writ was issued, talking of tlie good things the Government is going to do in the immediate future for the country in general and Tattfaiiga in particular. Now. because three or four Liberals are joining it: the light to assist in presenting their side of the case, there H an outcry from the Reform newspapers and the Reform harraekers against interference with the free untrammelled choice of the electors.” As a matter of fact this assistant c was offered to Sir Joseph Wilt’d before he entered upon tlie campaign. He expressed a de-ire. however, to keep the party element out of tlie contest as much as possible, and. hut for the atrocious character of many of the roads in the district he would have got round to all the important centres without much difficulty. But the roads have beaten him and the assistance of his friends in answering the army of ministerial critics has been at- j copted. TAURANGA AND THE EMPIRE. The "Dominion” this morning advances another cogent reason why the support, of the electors of ’iauranga should be given to Mr MacMillan. “The electors of Tauranga” it says, “have a number of excellent reasons for concentrating their support on the Government candidate in the present by-election. Taking account of domestic issues and tbe need of prudent management and continuity in handling the financial and other affairs of the Dominion, it is evidently desirable that the strength of the Govcrnmeni should he maintained. Casting their votes accordingly, the Tauranga electors will consult not only their own interests, but national interests. r I lie present

aspect of Imperial Affairs also makes it very desirable that political development should be in the direction ol .‘lability. One of to-day’s cablegrams mentions that October Ist has been lixed provisionally as the opening date of the Imperial and Economic Conference and that all the oversea.- Premiers will he able lo he in London by that dale except Mr Massey. Ihe electors of Tauranga no doubt will give due Weight to the fact that the outcome cl the by-election on Wednesday will go far to determine, wlicllicr Mr Ma-sey also will he able to attend an Imperial Conference opening in London at the he ('inning of October. ” H would he no wonder did Mr MacMillan feel somewhat overwhelmed in being made tlie corner stone on which the inline of Em-

piro rests. BIG BATTALIONS. The “Post” nLo deplores tho recent developments in the campaign, but it does not fear for the stability ol the Empire. "We regret” it says, “that Sir Joseph Ward has decided lo depatt from his original intention by .n <* pi j n „ tdie services of the Liberal-!.almur Party speakers, especially as the de\i- ton is made so late that it can » of little help in advancing Ins candiila(„re. It must bo admitted that inband lias been forced by the activities of the b!' battalions of Reform. M' ( nates was with Mr MacMillan at the openin'' of the campaign, the Prime Minister has been assisting bon smee. .-lid other Ministers are reported to be hovering near the electorate. But ■»’- know lednemenl. of Reform s etdpaodity tor the introduction of party will not |,,-eit tin- damage that partyism may do. It is greatly to ho leered Hot. whether Sir Joseph Ward ur Mr MacMillan be returned, the three-pa. ly division of the House will now ht more permanent, mm . personal bitterness increase. The evening journal evidently lu.s taken Mi’ Massey a i ~ i t iiit Vie will not ms word i'Jiu ,I'Miimu m , . |„> at the Imperial Conference tots year whatever may happen in lanranga.