The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21. 1925. THE WESTLAND SKAT.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21. 1925. THE WESTLAND SKAT.

Tub recent elect inn should lie a warning to all these "lio were earelc.-.s or neglectful in the casting of their votes ! on polling day. Although the poll was a. record one. 'till it is known then; were many who honi various- 'an —- did not attend. In the south, the Hoods on polling day had a deterring effect, hut in closer .settled centres indifference was perhaps the primal cause for not voting. Some, we understand, did not record their vote because of pique. The result showed that all who did not vote when they had the opportunity to do ,so actually voted against the candidate, or cause they esI pousod. The extra votes, had they lieen east, would have made all the .j difference, and the close result would not have l.een experienced. The franchise. as al present, held, is something which has had to he fouglit for over long years of political effort. The Lihoral policy in the days of Grey and r Balance gave us the one man one vole system. Later the I iheral policy under Sadden and W'ard gave us adult I suffrage, which included the women's vote. These progressive reforms had all to he fought .for. It is on record that to ensure for women the right to vote, the Sadden government had to > put up a very strenuous tight. Having won the reform, those privileged to enjoy it, should certainly use it. In New Zealand we have compulsory enrolment. The next step will he compulsory voting. The latter is in vogue in some countries, and Australia has just, in the Federal Flections, tried out a scheme of compulsory voting. Tt would he helpful in tin’s Dominion in assisting the indifferent to the polls. Probably in Labor circles that indifference is not so pronounced. II is felt generally that where the cause of Labor is at stake, its supporters are out loyally to hack it up at the ballot box. Others of another political faitli are not so keen about using opportunities presented to support the national cause affected. The result is that this apathy and indifference leads to useful and necessary votes being not exerciser!. As a rule it is the votes of the indifferent which most affect the position at the poll. Till compulsory voting came in in Australia, the rotes of the indifferent left the anti-Labour cause often in the rear. That is now being overcome. The indifferent in Westland, who did not go to the poll, on the Ith. inst. must feel how changed w'ould be the complexion of things had they exercised their votes in the ordinary wav. The doubt and indecision about the position would not now he prevailing. It is the old story over again, whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well. The right to vote is a privilege not lightly won, and is intended for use to express the wish and will of the aggregate pnblie. To refrain from voting, or to misuse the vote in any way to defeat the real object for its use. is to abuse a privilege very unfairly. Of course there are instances where from one cause or another. a vote may not tie oast, but when it is possible to vote it is the bounden duty of all to do so freely and fairly. The recent Westland poll makes that amply manifest, and no doubt there ate many of the five hundred who did not. vote a fortnight or so ago, who are regretting their apathy, and promising themselves that under similar circumstances in the future, the same neglect or indifference will not recur. Tf the recent poll has that awakening influence on the electors as a whole, the experience perhaps will not he in vain, for it will mean that- when an election recurs there will lve an absence of anathy, and more genuine interest in exercising the right to vote for a Member of Parliament.

has asked us to refer to Sir Erskine Slav’s parliamentary practice for some enlightenment on the subject. AA'e have done so and find on pane. 34.1 of the volume the following paragraph on the casting vote of the Speaker in Parliamentary practice: “If the members should happen to he equal, the Speaker'. who otherwise, never votes, must give his casting vote. In the performance of this duty, he is at liberty to vote like any other Member, according to his conscience, without assigning a reason ; hut. in order to avoid the least imputation upon his impartiality. it is usual for him. when practicable. to vote in such a manner as not to make the decision of the House final, and to explain his reasons which are entered in the journals.’’ The indication that the Speaker shall exercise his casting vote “aeiording to his conscience,’’ is in keeping with the provision in the New Zealand Legislature Act, whirh gives the Returning Officer the right to exercise his easting vote without any reservations or direction. In the contingency quoted in the foregoing from May. there is the reference to a motion whereon the Speaker is to explain his reasons for casting his vote one way or the other. Tt would appear that in regard to the Westland poll, not only did the Refuming Officer vote “according to his conscience.’ hut in easting that vote, lie explained his definite reason, which was incontrovertible. T» the exercise of the doty put upon him by the Legislature Act. the .Returning Officer observed the ethics of the occasion fully and clearly. In these definite circumstances there does not appear |o lie any occasion to say more on the subject.

Tilii Prime .Minister, in the course of his speech at the opening this week of the Exhibition, said that the revenue for the seven months of the financial year ending October .'list., excluding railway receipts, which were now transferred to a separate account, amounted to £9.927.02D, being a net increase of £(>58.D13 over tin 1 corresponding period of last year. The net expenditure, again eliminating railnays. was £12.027.5fi3, an increase of £532.288. “These figures.’' said Mr Coates, disclose a healthy, condition of public finance, and tic re i- every reason for predicting a prosperous year lor the Dominion. Happily, the industrial trouble which was present, with us recently ha- now passed away, and I trust that, in a hotter spirit <d mulual understanding and co-operation, all sections of our people will work together for the eelioral good of the country. Ala\ I say with what satisfaction we have p- eivcil ititvlligcin e that the general outhwk in Croat lit itain and in Europe ha- l.ecomo so much brighter. The industrial si'iuatien in the Motherland, which, during the pn.M-uar period, has been mi difficult, is steadily improving, and unemployment is slo.vlv lilt surely dei reusing. The Security Pact recently concluded at I ocarno has marked a great advance toward- the solution ol the inlerna-

tini.al situation in Kurcpe. and it is to he earnestly hoped that as u result peace among the nations w ill he assured for many years to come. As far as this Dominion is concerned, the Pact will he submitted in due reins ■ for ratification by our own Parliament, bill wo have already intimated to his .Majesty's Covermnent that the New Zealand Covernment has been satisfied to leave the negotiations in their hands, and that we will fall in behind them in whatever course seems to them necessary to ensure pea'e among the nations of Western Kuropc. Ratification bv the New Zealand Parliament is necessary, because the Dominions arc expressly exempted hv the terms of the Pad fn nt its obligations. unless iliey elect to ratify it. Those obligations oulv exceed the Covenant of the League, to which Now Zealand is a signatory, hv a guarantee to Ccrmaity against attack by Franco, a negligible addition to enr existing Covenant to i"inr to the aid ot Frame. Itelgiuiu and Italv again-t attack by (iermany. lint if our responsibilities were materially increased hy the Pad, 1 do not believe that .any true New Zealander would desire to sever cur country from the credit of the great achievement <>i the Locarno negotiations. It is largely upon the encouragement of mutual knowledge and forbearance that the foundations of peace must rest, and tt great advance lias been accomplished in this direction. The millennium of universal peace is not yet, hut it has .been brought approei ahlv nearer.”

Tine Rritish House of Commons has ratified the Locarno Pact by the substantial vote of 370 to 13. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs {Air Austen Chamherlain) may regard his action in regard to the Pact as his magnum opus in the political field. He has received great credit for his work at the conference table subsequently. His address in the Commons went to show that the Pact had great possibilities counting towards international reconciliation. Britain showed a disposition to he perfectly independent as regards the international attitude under the Pact, that is, aggression against France or Germany would he warded off. as readily for one as the other if the overt act was held to be unreasonaide. In lining so Great Britain pledged also the Dominions, and New Zealand had agreed to abide liv England’s action. The other Dominions have not replied, hut the obligation of cO-operation is not seriously upon them if they do not wish to so act . At the same time we may he sure. Pact or no Pact, the oversea Dominions are not going to stand by indifferenltv if at any time the Motherland is drawn into an international dispute. Great Britain is powerful enough to avoid war, and su)ier defence appears to lie the best antidote to prevent war. FugInnd will not lightly go to war. and on that account, the Dominions may well range themselves behind the Motherland in matters of public interest.