EDEN AFTERMATH.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1926, Page 4

EDEN AFTERMATH.

A POLITICAL INQUEST. ! WELLINGTON, April 1(5. Wellington Reformers do wot- hide tlieir annoyance over the result of the Eden contest, which they are inclined to attribute to indifferent management in the early stages. Some criticism is also heard of the retiring mem. bet - , Sir James Parr, for not taking an active part in the campaign in order to retain tho seat for his party. The late member, however, seems to have adopted tho very proper view that as he is on tho evo of becoming a public servant lie had no right to interfere in politics and show partisanship just as lie was about to take office as the Dominion’s representative in London. As for Mr Potter’s attitude tho .suggestion is that the first rations of the session will lie interesting, in view of events in Eden. The Wellington "Post” a strong advocate of fusion last session, sees in the bv-eleetion a reason for reviving the theme. It remarks editorially: "The record of the .successful candidate is remarkably good. As an honours man of Victoria College and a 11. A.. AT.A. and L.L.B. and Mayor of Pukekohe during four years of exceptional municipal activity, Afr .Mason would be a welcome addition to the ranks of any party. To the Labour Party, which is stronger in the theory than in the practice of government., the accession Air Mason should be of special value. The immediate effect of bis success is obvious to everybody. The dead heat between the Labour Party and the Nationalists for priority in the present Parliament is now determined in favour of the former, and, as in Great Britain, Labour becomes the official Opposition. Many will deplore the change, but we do not take a serious view of it. The distinction between Nationalists or Liberals and Reformers is. as we have maintained for years, almost entirely artificial, but- a great gulf divides them both from Labour, The tripartite division in politics is always a nuisance, and might at any time become a peril. The capture bv Labour of the Opposition benches will surely enforce the fusion of the other parties, which they should have ell'ecied voluntarily some time ago.” VOTE SPLITTING. WELLINGTON. April 16. "Thanks lo Aliss Afclville” is the heading in the "New Zealand Times” on its editorial comment on the Eden by-election. If stresses the votesplitting aspect, adding:— "There is nothing significant in the outcome. Had his representative beaten Sir Janu s Gmison in a straightout- battle. Air H. E. Holland could justifiably have exulted. As it- is. Air Mason enters the House on a substantial minority vote. There is nothing there to induce a swelled head in Labour, or to depress any well-balanced Reformer. These things happen occasionally. ri we are to have Atr Holland as leader of the Opposition, we shall simply have to put up with ii. AVo could tolerate him the more in that position if he would drop a measure el his stllv prejudices, and cultivate a broader outlook on the big questions of national policy.'.'