WELLINGTON NOTES,

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES,

PARTY ORGANISATION

REFORMERS SEEKING OLD FOOTING.

(Special to “Guardian”.)

WELLINGTON, September 10.

In political circles here no surprise is expressed at the announcement- from Palmerston North that the Reformers are taking steps to place their party house in order. It was common talk in the lobbies during the recent session of Parliament, that the party nail lost its former grip upon the electorates and that the disappearance of its majority last December was largely due to its deteriorated organisation. It is one of the most ardentjournalistic supporters of the Government. that now gives .shape and countenance to the current stories. ‘lt is understood,” this authority says, “that at caucus meetings of the Reform Party held in Wellingtno during the recent session, the rank and file of the Parliamentary Party set up committees for the more effectual organisation of the party in general. The Reform Government organiser, Mr T. Lisle, has retired from the .service of the party. His successor is said to be a gentleman well known in the AA rairarapa, who is to take up his duties early next .month. It is hoped by moro vigorous action to re-establish the party on its old footing.” As far 'as uaii be gathered in town to-day this outline, of the position is substantially correct.

OLD AGE. The “gentleman well known in the AVairarapa” is not very difficult to identify and he may he expected to impart new life, as well as new methods to the rusted organisation of the party. Rut it is doubtful if. with all his energy and enthusiasm, he will he able to repair thy sadly shaken prestige of the Reform [Party. Organisation can do much, as Mr Massey himself showed at the general election of 19111, when with only 200,000 edd votes out of a total of 512.000 odd he managed to win forty-four of the seventy-six European seats in the House. Of course he was helped by a defective system of voting, and the lack of organisation on the other side but fie had the wit to turn these advantages to account, and to secure an overwhelming majority in the House against the wish of more than throefifths of the electors. By the time the election of last December came round, however, the Government was three years older and though Mr Massey tlnevv himself into the contest with all liis accustomed vigour, bis progress was not- so reassuring as it had been at tlie “peace” election. In the end out of the (114,000 odd votes polled, the Reformers received 258,000 odd, a slightly larger proportion than they bad polled at tile previous election, but not enough to save them from virtual defeat. In the over-confidence of the leader, the party's organisation and gone to pieces. BETTER AND POLITICS.

The announcement on Saturday of an advance of one penny a pound in the price of butter lias sot both housewives and politicians talking. Though

sales for early shipment have- been made at an advanced price, the London quotations scarcely justify a local rise, if tlie Government's assurances are to bold good. AVhcn the Dairy Produce 'Export- Control Rill was making its way through the House during the rush hours of the recent session, the Opposition abstracted from the Government a promise that the Board of Trade would be reconstituted on a basis that would ensure the interests of the consumers being looked after in the operation of the measure. Tt was Mr AVilford that drew this promise from the Prime Minister, but it was understood the Labour Party previously bad been bargaining on tlie matter and bad obtained from the Minister of Agriculture an undertaking that the cost of butter to the local consumer would; not be raised above London parity rates and, what perhaps was more important, that the local price would be reduced promptly when the movement was in the other direction. AA'hat the housewives and the politicians require now is some definite indication that the promised reconstituted Board of Trade is at work. FREEZING OUT RACING.

Tho complaints Air AY. G. Stead has made to tlie Australian Press eoncorning the heavy taxation imposed upon racing in this country, though entirely justified from the owners point of view, are not- likely to arouse much active sympathy among the politicians. The feeling, which grew up during the war, that racing is a superfluity still persists and while tlie average politician feels compelled to back up bis club in requests for additional totalisatur permits and to assist it- ill any other way be can, lie does not regard the goodwill of the racing community as any great asset- at election time. But whether- racing is a superfluity or not, there can bo no possible doubt in the minds of unprejudiced people acquainted with the facts that the taxation upon ow net's—which really means the whole of the taxation upon racing—is imposed in a most haphazard and inequitable fashion. As a wav measure it was excusable, as man\ other harsh measures were: but as a

permanent burden upon cue section of the community, without any provision for equality of sacrifice, it- is outrageously unfair. There is no graduation, the small owner suffering with the large, and the victims obtain no sort of advantage from the payment that is not extended to every other member of the community. Air Stead’s statement that racing is being frozen out of the Dominion is none too strong.

IS IT YOUR KIDNEYS? Many people never suspect their kidneys. If suffering from a lame, weak or aching hack, they think that it is only a muscular weakness; when urinary trouble sets in they think it will soon correct itself. And so it is with all the other symptoms of kidney disorder. That is whore the danger often lies. You should realise that these troubles often lead to serious kidney disease. An effective remedy for weak or diseased kidneys is Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills. Read this oxjpcricnco:

Mr AY, Pascoo, Revell St., Hokitika, says: “For a good while I suffered terribly with backache and rheumatic pains, at times could hardly move without enduring torture. I was also troubled with dizzy turns and felt tired and lanquid, having no energy for anything. Tho constant backache, npart from being very trying, handicapped me a lot at my work, as I could not stoop without increased suffering. Seeing an advertisement for Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills the thought occurred to me to try them, so I got a bottle at once, and am delighted to tell you that they gave me relief very quickly and gradually made a completo cure. Twelve months have elapsed since..then and I am still well, so feel safe in saying my cure is a permanent one. Kidney sufferers cannot do better than take Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills, they are tho most reliable remedy known.”

Four years later, Air Pascoo says: “I have had no return of my old complaint- since Doan’s Backache Kikney Pills cured mo oVer live years ago.” Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills are sold by all chemists and storekeepers at lls per bottle, or will he posted on receipt of price by Foster-McClellan Co., 15 Hamilton Street, Sydney. But, be sure you get DOAN’S.