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Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1923, Page 2

1 1 i- at least singular that Labor is ii"l more pronouncedly protective than appears on the surface. The opposition of Labor to food taxes can. ol course, ho well nndeistood, hut the party might have been expected to fake a hall-way attitude and favor the extra taxation where industries could be helped by the tariff. The Liberals el course are the dichards in regard to a free trade policy. The economic argument is on their side. Hut while in the abstract all is well; yet it is the actual position which has to he grappled with. Protection has its drawbacks and certainly its limitations, lor care must he taken not to go too far in those fiscal matters. Tlnre is a difficulty in diawing the line at the right time, and for that reason Air Haldwin is not going into details. But face to faro with a critical financial period, as the responsible Minister, the I’remier has to take a definite step. For that purpose lie takes his courage in both hands. He has launched a campaign which will govern his own political destiny. So far as can be seen there is no occasion to doubt his determination if he is given the mandate to operate a prohibitionist policy.

T’jih election campaign lias been distinguished by the vigor with which all parties have carried through the whirl wind combat. The Government “rushed” the eluction to a great extent. That was tactk.s to some extent; although the approach of Christmas and the i res.-lire of unemployment in the Home winter, called for something do- , islve to .settle, public opinion before it beer.mo too inflamed with the political outlook. The elect i 0... however, has hud the effect of stabilising the LiberMs. who weie severed into different camps. The unity- i>f that, party will he for 11 io country’.-i good, for there are many bright intellects among the Liberals when domestic legislation is umh-; discussion. That established trait wi! help the liberals id the polls. Their an many forecasts, hut the trend of opinion tuvors a win for Afr Baldwin, perhaps by a small margin. He is not likely to have a majority of the votes lest, but his. followers will prob.-dT eu'number Uic united opposition. 1.1 ;s rite division lk-t in the Commons which will tell the tale in the end, ami on that vantage gioiuid he has promised to put his policy into force decisively.

Will, the increasing volume of exnort ovei the railway to Canterbury, our attention Ims been called in particular to the need for the railway authorities making better provision for handling dairy produce. Dairying is coming into its own in Westland, and it is going to he a rapidly increasing factor in tie., progress and prosperity ol tin- district. On that account and seeing that it is destined to become the most permanent aid to the .sustained prosperity of the future, ihe producers at this stage should lie encouraged in every wav to eet tln-ir commodities on to the markets under the most favorable transport conditions. With the through railway service, and cool 'torage at Lyttelton, it should he tile am, of the Department- to handle the produce from the Coast to the very best advantage in both celerity and condition. Clean, sweet vans should he provided and every facility given to load aif the latest hour to ensure prompt despatch, without undue standing in railway yaids or sidings. IA-irtieiilaiT.v, too, should delay he avoided in passing the traffic through the Arthur's Dess tunnel. The matter is of great- importance to the producers and all engaged in dairying, and the wishes ot those concerned should he met as far as posribl, liv the controlling authorities.