The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1925.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1925.

The result of the election awards the government a substantial majority even allowing tor the seats in doubt owing to the number of absent votes, to be counted in several electorates. Quite a number’of seats are undecided finally on that score, but in the net result the secure position of Mr Coates’ party is not likely to lie affected. A study of the Dominion figures shows a marked gain in the Heform vote. In the main this is no doubt attributable to the action of the Government in the late strike. Mr Coates moved very i circumspectly at the outset, and it was not till the House rose that he moved decisively and made it plain to the would-be disturbers of peace that the farmers’ produce was to he moved. This action, combined with the inaction of the Labor members, affected the latter very seriously at the polls, and in the main <entres this was noticeable chiefly. The National party’s defeat is nerhaps to l>e accounted for by the glamour of the Coates' campaign. coupled with the dissension and differences made plain since the fusion negotiations failed. The overtures for fusion were made in perfectly good faith at what was a very opportune time. It was the first opportunity in fact to move, as the death of Mr Massey left the position generally rather obscure. The strike and its effect was not then on the horizon, and had that even net come to pass opinion in favour of the Government party would not have been so strongly crystallised. It- would appear it was a tactical mistake in all the circumstances to change from the Liberal party to the National party. It was done in good faith no doubt, even if in haste, for the party was disposed to make its l.onafidcs plain on the fusion issue. The Li-

bends ;irc now reduced in nuinbers and influence, but they espouse a policy which can never die. The desire to achieve the greatest good lor tho greatest number, irrespective of class, is the soundest policy of all. It is the political fancy of the times to think otherwise in the aggregate judging by

;o result of tho elections, but figures at polling time have the habit oi swaying in an opposite direction according to the circumstances of the moment. In the present instance the victory the (lovcrnmeut is a recognition of the determination of Mr Coates to uphold law and order, and all loyal citizens may rejoice at that happy circumstance. 'flic lesson of the elections to the Government is that the people approve of the maintenance of public rights and res licet for agreements. To the Nationals they have to realise that they were the victim of circumstances, and if their opportunity is to come again, they must he sanely progressive and definitely loyal in advocating the maintenanie of stable security, bailor has had a severe lesson, in that the expectations of a lew months ago are dashed to the ground. To them there is the plain statement of public opinion tluit any political programme or professions must be of a sane character. That the country will have nothing of an extreme nature, nor will it countenance any coquetting with those who would be disturbers ot the pease. In the elections. Reform bad the great advantage of money in large sums to carry on its campaign. Ihe party funds must have been prodigious, judging by the extravagant advertising campaign indulged in, and 'there is a lesson therein for both the National and bailor parlies, though it is hardly likely they can expect to emulate tie wealth lavished by Reform at election time. No doubt, the victors owed a great measure of their success to the expensive publicity indulged in. and the result, they will feel, has justified tho outlay. In the late Mr Seddon's time lie recognised what he had to light in that respect, and managed to create a campaign iund, but the bilieials of later days lacked the same organising id'ility. and nowadays have little or no party funds available to assist < undulates. It is not the must satisfying side, of the elections, h .1 it seems to }. ;ln essential adjunct, to success when publicity counts for so much. Now that the elections are virtually over, in that the (Jo.eminent has a putter supreme, the Dominion may settle ilo-m definitely and it will lie for the Prime Minister to shape a course, secure in the knowledge that be lias a backing in the House, which makes him infallible practically for the full term ol the new Parliamenl. This at least, is satisfactory a- claiilyiiig the position in Parliament. For more than ten years (outside I lie period ol Ibe National (iiivcruincut) the stale ol the parties was such that the Ministry occupied a position more or less perilous. The danger of a snap division at any time is now removed, and in that security Mr Coates will have a free band to go as lar as be may. reasonably. with a progressive policy. No doubt lie will pay marked attention to the administrative side of the country's business and proceed to put the finances of tFio country in an improved position. lie will need, as lie will l>o able to call to bis assistance the best brains in the country lor that purpose, and if this great task is tackled successfully and real relief follows, the general ele’tion of this week will have been not in vain.