The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, 1921. POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, 1921. POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

Silt Thomas Mackenzie, ex-High Commissioner, and now a member of the Legislative Council, lias designs again of entering the Lower House, where the hon. gentleman sat for a brief period as Premier. Sir Thomas liplievos a general election will overtake the counD\ about next December, though in the ordinary course the time-table dato is a year later. Sir Thomas may know something of the mind of the Liberals who are keeping Mr Massoy in power, but on the other hand, the Prime Minister is easy about the matter and speaks of the next general election’ being as far oil a.s the limits of the triennial term will allow. And Mr Massey should know something of the foundation wliereon his party in office i.s reared. It is interesting to note tho light let in by Bir Thomas on political prospects. He talks of abandoning his sure seat in tho Upper House to contest it seat in the Lower House, and to do so proposes to contest a. Reform constituency. Mr Bitchener is the sitting member, having ousted some time hack a sound Liberal in the person of Mr Anstev who was a notable representative of tho farming interests. Sir Thomas poses as a farmers’ representative also, and so selects ail agricultural community for his next political flight. Sir Thomas hits a wealth of experience behind him. hut- has not been a paiticularly prominent member in the Legislative Council. Probably he has been hiding his light under a bushel in preparation for the occasion when he can sally forth and make his mark when next politics in the Dominion are in the melting pot—tts they promise to bo nt the next general election. Sir Thomas made, also, tho interesting proneunoccment that Sir Joseph Ward would be returning to the arena and would stand for Wellington North. If lie does select that constituency he will win the seat most probably. It i.s held at present by Sir John Luke, who would find in Sir Joseph a more formidable opponent than has yet to be accounted for. On a previous occasion Sir Joseph was asked to contest the electorate, and wac, presented with a most flattering petition, but he declined the opportunity and met liis fate in fighting another seat. However, political prospects are suggesting a wide interest in the next general contest. Other candiates are preparing for the fray, and the Labor leader (Mr Holland) and some of liis colleagues are on the stump. Mr Wilford and his lieutenants are about to begin a political tour of the Dominion, while Ministers generally are on the wing, and from the Prime Minister down are improving their shining hour with political speeches. No doubt with the approach of session time the energy of the speakers will be redoubled. Mr Massey is lieginning to sense the situation by promising a reduction in taxation. He is reserved enough not to disclose in which direction the relief will come, but the promise of remissions contributes to the discounting of some of the obvious criticism which will be levelled at the Government from the various plat-

forms. It is rather remarkable that very little is heard in regard to anti-borrowing. The market is unfavourable at the present, or no doubt New Zealand would he dipping into the London market. It is just a.s well, instead of borrowing and plunging furtho • into debt, there should be economy in the administration and the avoidance of heaping up the national debt. New Zealand needs a readjustment of its finance, whereby iho heavy drain in interest payments will be eased, and the country given a breathing space in which to recuperate finaiiMially. For such a respite Sir Joseph Ward would he an excellent adviser, and if ho is “coming hack,” it will he a good tiling tor the Dominion and its political prospects affecting the immediate future.