The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOV. 2nd. 1925. THE WESTLAND SEAT.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOV. 2nd. 1925. THE WESTLAND SEAT.

Ox Wednesday the electors of this district in common with those of tho electorates throughout New Zealand, will lie called on to elect a Member for Parliament. The occasion just now is unusually interesting. There has been a, dolinate change in the leadership of Parliament, and the Prime A 1 blister is one who is finding favor with the people. He is trusted and looked up to, and he has an unusually good opportunity to go far in Dominion politics. Ho is free from tho old Conservative associations, a man of the world, experienced and well equipped as few young men have been, when called upon suddenly to lead the country. The alternative to the leadership of Mr Coates is the Extreme Labor party, which is keeping step with Labor parties in Australia, whoso metho-i of government and administration are plain to behold. The Labor Party as is frankly declared in its policy is not for the Empire. It believes in internationalism, and the inevitable disru] tion of the Empire. There is s very broad and definite issue before the electors. Whom will they support. They have the choice of a well-proved loyalist in Air Seddon, who is unequivocal in his determination to keep Extreme Labor out of political power. On the other band there is in Air O'Brien an out and out supporter of the I.abor policy which apart from its opposition to the maintenance of the British Empire, is built up on extravagance, which attempted. would bring New Zealand to financial disaster and national chaos. Such is the issue. Having so stated it. it remains now for the electors not to lie apathetic on polling day. The voice of the people should be heard in unmistakenl>le sound. A vote witli-held is a vote lest. In particular, all who believe in upholding the loyal prestige of the land should vote solidly for the cause. We may be sure that the supporters of Labor will roll up for their cause, and the opponents of Labor's destroying policy should be no less alive to the merits of the issue.

Westland had a reputation in the past for loyalty and the disposition to maintain law and order, If behoves the

generation of to-day to .safeguard tho principles which were espoused hy the pioneers of the early days. In Mr •Seddon there is the son of one of the host known of the pioneers of Westland. who'wa.s an Imperialist of worldwide renown. His name and fame rellected to the glory of Westland over many years. Westland, we arc sure, lias faith still in the old name that was .synonymous with it for half a century. That lie should never have been broken. Now is the opportunity to make good the mistake, and send again to Parliament one who will represent the district worthily, and of whom none need he ashamed. We feel that in electing Mr Seddon as Member for Westland, the people will do themselves credit, and we have no doubt after Mr Coates’ recent declaration, will please equally, the Leader of the Government. The Prime Minister and Mi- Seddon served together in the war in the most dangerous service their country could expect of them. Friendships formed in those < ircuinstances are not easily severed, and we may ho sure that between the two gentlemen there exists the most cordial feelings of firm friendship. Those in tho electorate who arc opposed to the Labor Party’s policy and methods, thus have a most eligible candidate to supjxjrt. and if the true feelings of the people arc expressed, as we expect them to he. the result will lie a very gratifying one to the Government, and to the Nationalists who are pledged to support tho Government. Tt remains, therefore for the people to throw aside all apathy and placing country first, vote for the candidate who may he relied on to serve them loyally and well, as in the f ast, true to the traditions of flic people, and with the satisfied feeling that the loyal and devoted attachment for which Westland has been always noted, will he respected and honored to the tidiest by Mr I- A . Seddon.