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Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1927, Page 2

With the number of candidates, official and unofficial in the Held, tlip Raglan bye-election should be a good wio for me Govornnuvit. The laft-e Mr Bollard held the seat very securely for the Government, and his personal following in the main will swing over to the official candidate selected to succeed him. At. the same time, the period of contest will not he a comfortable one for the Government. It is manifest the policy of the Government will h-j much discussed, and in particular sins of omission will be stressed. Both Labour and the Liberals each have “strong” local men in the field. and with the Hacking they will receive, are sure to put up 11 critical light. At the same time it may he exnected that the official Government candidate will he brieled to the immediate policy of the parly, and any statements in that respect will be of interest. The Government representative is sure to ho chaffed a l deal about, the unfulfilled promises c:t the Coates’ policy, so much ot which was made by advertisement at the time of the 'general election. The Raglan electors will certainly have plenty of choice, and in the short time lapsing before polling day will have the opportunity of being enlightened. and educated regarding many political phases of the day. Of late the financial policy of the Government has been commented on .strongly and the fact that taxation has been increased over a certain class was a. isuiojeet lot* criticism even in pronounced Relovnt newspapers and commercial circles. The Minister of Finance ende-avoured to allay eritcism and alarm by explaining that he wa.s .merely ironing out inequalities in the taxation and when the whole policy was revealed this would be clearer. The tariff, as revised. will tie brought down this week no doubt, and by that means the “adjustment” indicated could and might he brought about. It is not at all unlikely that the proximity of the Raglan contest will have its hearing on the tariff proposals which will he revised up-to-datd in the light of possibi 1 ties at this juncture when Government find it necessary to present themselves at the bar of public opinion. A scat more or less makes little cause for alarm to the Government majority, but the question of prestige is at stake, and a. hard and determined fight for the seat is sure to ensure. On all the circumstances the contest is sure to he of considerable public interest, for it will have an enlivening- effect on iho general political situation.