The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17 1925. THE VERDICT.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17 1925. THE VERDICT.

Till-: p-jliti-.al verdict lit the polls in the Common'., call h regarding I'Vtlcrjil politics seems to be no less emphatic than the recent- decision in the Dominion. Here as‘there Labor expected to iiiaae material progress. There «.< here Labor has got ii good set-back. The verdict is in keeping with the national reelings -of that there can be no doubt, linth New Zealand .and Australia have declared themselves to be heartily sick of strikes and a succession of strikes, sind industrial peace is needed. The verdict in Australia is the more satisfactory because when Mr liruce pluckily decided to go to the polls, ho did so on the sole issue—who shall rule ? He threw down the .gauntlet to arrogant Labor which of late has been more aggressive than ever in industrial circles in the Commonwealth. 'l'he British seamen’s strike was encouraged and supported in every way possible, and in some of the States very free license was given the strikers to hold the commerce of the country at hay. The Australians had a very definite lesson in mind when going to the polls on Saturday, and the experience has swayed the popular vote as the figures now reveal. iLa.hor. of nuirse, had largo support. Organised Labor is well entrenched in Australia. It dominates the politics of the ma ; joritv of the State Governments, and through tne agency of trade unionism must have great ramifications. But the still, small voice which dominates the people at large was insistent enough to turn the Balance materially against Labor rule, and the verdict of the polls may 1A?-deemed to he eminently satisfactory. It is a victory for sane and stable government, a victory for loyal regard for agreements, above all. a victory for tbc loyal issue involved the maintenance of constitutional rights, f-lindi being the case there is every reason to rejoice. The verdict touches Ne.v Zealand intimately, for our juxtaposition to Australia makes our relations most intimate, and of a first consideration. The Dominion must be greatly beholden to the Commonealth in many ways, and the firm establishment of sane government in both countries for a definite period, is of the highest- value to both countries. Australia is the stop over place for much of our oversea traffic. Delays and disorganisation over there, as we have seen in the past, are to the disadvantage of New Zealand. Mails and passengers come liv that route, and the trading relations, financial and commercial, are very intimate. The verdict at the polls will make those relations more intimate still, and especially at this season of the year there is sure to be a great increase in inter-chang-ing traffic and business relations. Mr Bruce will now have a mandate to quench the aspirations of those of communistic instincts. He was fair enough i to set up a Deportation Board so as to give the fullest investigation and enquiry. and he will l>e at liberty now to see that the Board’s decision may take effect. It will be n good thing to keep that anti-British element as much outside the Km pi re as possible. There is no room as there is no occasion, for such. Both Australia and New Zealand are fine countries, well identified by every possible tie with the Motherland. and all feelings or desires to out the painter in the desire to achieve communistic ideals, should lie ignored, in fact ostracised. The Federal Government is a National Ministry, which is something of an object lesson to New Zealand. Had the Government here gone to the country on national lines, such as the Commonwealth did. the verdict in New Zealand would be more sweeping than it was -as regards the extremists. But it was sufficient, and it is ample in Australia to show to all the world the two natioas are one in j

loyalty and fealty, and that good, sane government is the first consideration in each country.