WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1925, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

OAITIK'S OF ELECTION TIME. Sill JOHN LINK'S CONTI! 1 BOTOX (Special to " Guardian.”) WELLINGTON. October 22. Among tlie many amusing incidents in connection with the election contest now in progress Sir John Luke s revision of his views in regard to the licensing question is one ol the most entertaining:. I here art* various stoties in circulation its to how it till came about, lull the important point, is that Sir John, v. ho tor years has heen regarded as a pillar of the prohibition movement, under the pressure ol a militant Liberal on one side anti tt sculling Socialist on the other. Inis given in his adherence to most of the planks that matter in the .Moderates’ platform. At his meeting on Tuesday night, alter declaring that the licencing vote was a sacred thing, which every elector should exercise according to t lie dictates of his conscience and without interference from either side, he admitted his audience so far into liU confidence as to say that in order

to remove the question as tar as possible from polities he would take the poll only every sixth year, and in the event of no license living carried lie would not have it brought into eflect for four years, long enough, it will he observed to have a new Parliament elected solely on the litjuor issue. .Many of Sir John’s former allies are so much incensed by the worthy knight’s renunciation of their mutual quest that they hare proclaimed their intention to vote for the Liberal candidate in the contest, whom, they say. may be trusted to clean up the licenced houses, even if he will not assist in extinguishing t! cm. THK LICENSING ROLL. Well informed people, taking no active part in the eontest and being as free from bias as any interested person can he predict that the prohibition vote will he relatively considerably ■ mailer til the approaching poll than ii was three years ago. T I'f reason for this, they say. will he the better organisation of the supporters of Cont immure, which, they declare, is overwhelming the organisation ot the friends of Prohibition at every point. It is not tin* amount of money those interested in the trade spend." said one ot these authorities to-day, ‘ that tine the Learn in their favour. Il is their persistence and thoroughness and the comparatively feeble response of their opponents. The difference between the two parties in these respects has been more marked than ever this vear. The hoarding adver-

tisements of the two parties are ready examples. The Trade’s placards are clear cut. striking to the point. Tin' Prohibitionists’ placards are dull, involved and platitudinous to the verg * of stodginess. The better cause is getting by a long way the worse advertisement.'’ Much the same things might he said with on on I truth of 0 Wellington offices of the two organisations. Prompt, business-like attention, with a hearty welcome awaiic the visitor to the .Moderate League'c headquarters. There i,-. no greeting lor the stranger at the New Zealand Alliance local office. and he usually is sent unsatisfied away. Little things like this may easily determine the result when the contestants are evenly balanced. If Prohibition suffers another defeat it will he mainly due to the letter organisation of iis opponents. A M'ELCOAIK CAN Ul PAT If. Under this heading the " Evening Post” extends a cordial well onto to Sir Joseph Ward upon his reappearance in the political arena. "The return of Joseph to the political Held will, we believe.” it savs. " he welcomed by mam- people who lake a broad view of national interests. In rcient years Parliament has la<ked the V'ell-iiitormcd financial criticism so essential for sale management which Sir Joseph Marti could supply. We hope, I hcrefore, that Lite people of Invercnr-

gill '.'ill seize the opportunity to leluni to the House of Representatives a mini who is able to give distinguished servile, not to Southland indy, lint to the whole of New Zealand.” The “ New Zealand Times " is scarcely so spun|anemis as is its evening lonlemporary, in acclaiming the old Liberal leader, hut il concedes as in licit as can he expected in the circumstances. "Sir Joseph’s appearance in the political arena,” il slates, "will he generally tt doomed ns a sign of his restoration to health, which is a thing ideasing to all New Zealand. . . That he lias done fine service in his good political time, there is abundant evidence on the Statute Book of New Zealand. I here is no need t n del ail i lie it i ol that record, both ol initiative and support. Enough to say that he was closely associated through long years ol service with the wide policy which his successors have done their uiic.ost, and. as Air Coates very frequently and honourably declares, have made it their business and their pleasure to extend according to rirciimstanee.s and to adjust, according to pressing public needs." The " Dominion " preserves the silence that is golden. THE PUBLIC VIEW. I lie business men in Wellington, ill- 1 most without' exception it would seem 1 li'om what one can gather in cummer- I cial and liiianeial circles, would he 1 very glad to see Sir .Joseph AYartl hack 1 in the House. Tnov do not want him I to lie leading a party again—and say t

so quite frankly—hut they regard him as tin' politician best fitted among .-ill those in view at the present time to advise Parliamein, upon the finance of t fie country. For some years, they say. the financial policy of the Government Inis been shaped and directed by the heads of departments associated ''dll the administration of this branch n! the Dominion’s alluirs. Considering the circumstances these officer* have done excellent worl;. but within the last few months they all have retired 4 « ; a superannuation and their successors lack both their training and their exporience. In any case, these authorities submit. Parliament should have t ; e knowledge and the genius of initiation witliin its own walls, and for the moment Sir Joseph appears to lie the only politieian in sight possessed of tb'e-e essential qualities. .Much had been expected from .Mr Downie Stewart 'mi lor the present that gentleman is tumble to take up the necessary work ol the 1 reastiry. am! Mr N'osworiliy, who is boldine the portfolio of the Ireasury temporarily. does not pretend. with all liis versatility, to lie a heaven-horn financier. It is by this line ol reasoning that the average business man in Wellington reaches the conclusion that the lime has arrived for sir Joseph to return to Parliament.