WELLINGTON NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES

THE TAt'RAXOA BY-ELECTION. AX ALL ROUND .SURPRISE. [Si’kciai, To Thk Guahuian.] AYKLLJXGTOX, Alaieh 30. The magnitude of the Massey-Mc-Millan success in tlie Taurangn byelection surprised everyone, nobody more than it did the quidnuncs on the spot, who had predicted such a close contest that the result would hang in the balance till the absent votes were counted. Sir .Joseph Ward’s friends were more confident than were those of Mr Massey, their last messages from the constituency claiming a majority of three or four hundred and suggesting a larger one. But they cvidentlv had under-estimated the strength of tlie forces and iidiuences arrayed against them. Mr Massey threw all his great influence into the tight as if his very political existence depended upon tile issue; his colleagues gave him very zealous assistance; the Reform newspapers Hooded the constituency with their piquant

and poignant literature: the Prohibitionists threw in their lot with the Reformers, and the I’.P.A. brought all its insidious and invidious equipment into action. But in spite of this Sir Joseph Ward appeared to be making extiaoi'dinarily good headway and even the most sanguine of Air .McMillan’s supporters gave the Refrom candidate n majority ot no more than live hundred. The present ligures show him to be ahead by more than eleven hundred and the absent votes probably will increase his lead. REFORM JUBILATION. The “Dominion,” quite naturally and with some measure ot justification hails Mr MacMillan's success as a great Reform victory. “Sir Joseph Ward's altitude.” it says, “drew the Prime Mini,Ur into the conlliefc, and the struggle, to all intents and purposes, became a question ot whetlie; or not the Huvornnient should lie permitied to continue in olfiee. The electors of Tatiiaugn decided in favour ol the Government with an emphasis that probably surprised even those best situated to form ail opinion .is to the probable outcome. Mr Massey's campaigning no doubt accounted largeiv for this, but there can be little doubt that the result of the general election surprised and startled ihe country, and the electors of Taurangn were determined that tlie-i*o would be no mistake on Urn present occasion. They showed their determination to keep Ihe Giivernnii nt in office, and the result of vc -;e:day's poll means that Mi .Massey will he able to carry on.” There is a llavonr . f humour about the suggestion ol ihe It'-lorm organ that Air Alassev was drawn into the conflict by Sir Joseph Ward’, omission to declare himself a supporter ot the Govto have thoroughly enjoyed the campaign, lias promised to take, an early opportunity to make his “attitude” plain.

THE LIBERAL VIEW. “The New Zealand Times” takes upon itself to express the Liberal view, and probably says v. hat is in the minds of most members oi ihe party. “Sir Joseph Ward's deleal is not due to any demerit ol Ins own. ’ il declares, “it. is due to the strength d the pari.' arrayed against him in the liual trial of strength. The moral, of com e, i that the Reform Tarty chiefs care less for the interest of the Dominion than lor tlie interest oi their party. They have won a partisan victory in l la* teclb ol their ow n declarations against partisanship. Their victory is. of course, beyond question, h is useless to discuss any details. The broad fact I hat the Government lias won is snflic;mi." I Living established t k obvious fact to it eoinplete satisfaction, the “Times” asks u bat ibe Government is going to do with its victory. “Tb - Government,” Il insists, • has undcrlakcM to bring the country quickly out of its great troubles; full it lias given no guarantee I'm- the performance of its undertaking. The result at Taurangn is no guarani e. Three supporters of the Government are committed only to the G’uvertnuoni, not to its measures.” Again i In* fact is obvious. But Air Alu'sey's hopes are revived by the upset ti 11 : o( the tlainaiu oleeliim and ■ ccniei Taurangn f.uedil mu oil the sou! Item field. \X INDEPENDENT'S OUTLOOK. Tiii> “Evening Post" from Hie detachment of an impartial observer stuns ii]) the position with judicial exactinide. “The result the contest is." it concludes “that I lie Government lias retained the seat with a uiajocifv only slightly less than that gained by the late Sir William I ferries, who bad popularity and long sendee to aid him against a candidate mneh weaker than Sir Joseph Ward. This result is chiefly attributable in tlie work done l.v Mr Massey aided bv his colleagues, in a role which be himself described as that ol" an “election agent.” The retention of Hie soar i the Reform Parly's gain; but can it be said that there is no national loss? The country is again deprived of the services in Parliament of a man of admitted ability, who was prepared to use bis gifts for the promotion of greater political stability. The majority of three, including two Indepen. dent Liberals and one Liberal, still stands. Iho pro-peel of discovering, through the agency of Sir Joseph AVank a more stable government has been lost. Il remains to be seen whether this is the full extent of the loss.” There is a fair summary of public opinion as it is found to-day in the political capital.