The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21, 1927. ANOTHER MIX UP.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21, 1927. ANOTHER MIX UP.

Tin.; Irish Free State Flections have produced another imx-up, and the usual political stew promises to result. Tne elections were carried through with the usual vigor, though some of the incidents appear to have lost their novelty, and the usual degree of “fun” was not made out, of the event. Mr Cosgravo out up an earnest light, and it would appear will remain in possession of the Premiership. He asked plainly and boldly for a decisive victory, hut has to be content with something very much less. No doubt lie was encouraged in his action by the apparent change over of public feeling. There were signs of this in the changed and changing attitude of Mr do Valera. His election manifesto toned down his previous utterances and the Republican ideas were brought hack to a moro rational and even constitutional basis. In point of fact, the de Valeraites were disposed to accept existing realities, and declared for the maintenance of a responsible constitutional government. The change of heart, went even further. and Mr de Valera stated there would not be any attempt to coerce Ulster or to. endeavour to include her in the Irish Free State by force. This must have been very helpful in the matter of vote catching. At the same time Mr Cosgravo in his replying manifesto, put the issue very definitely and there was no doubt as to his confidence of the result. 'Whether it was misjudgnient or the vagaries of the voting system, is not definitely clear, but tho latter had some hand in the stew produced. From tile incidents reported surrounding the misuse of voting papers, many electors took the situation humorously, and conveyed their humor into the ballot box, only to he revealed when the voting papers were scrutinised. The net result of the polling appears to bo a bare majority for the Government with the aid of its political allies. This condition of affairs will he a break on Mr Cosgrave’s legislative programme, but at least there should he some .settling down, and an effort to secure political rest The elections cost a large sum, much .more than the Free State can afford, and one of the earliest tasks to he taken in hand must lie the setting of the finances in order. Domestic legislation was foreshadowed in Mr Cosgrave’s manifesto, and it was in tended to secure peace at- home and abroad. The former will he the chief concern, for surely there' is not any necessity for the Free State to seek for trouble abroad. The chief domestic difficulty appears to he to put down the gunmen, and to that encf it has been promised as a cardinal plank of the Cosgravo platform, and there will lie a single disciplined army subject to the control of Parliament, an efficient police force, and rigorous prohibition of the dangerous practice of carrying arms. This task is not likely to ho accomplished easily or quickly. There is a predisposition to revolt, and all will not he as ready to submit as Mr dc Valera apparently is. Circumstances alter cases, we are told, and the circumstances in Ireland have chla'nged materially of late. Bitter faction fights are dying down. The exchequer is becoming exhausted. It would not he a surprise, therefore, if matters settled down somewhat, and all the parties made some effort to rehabilitate politics on the right level in Ireland again. The nation has everything to gain by the peaceful pursuit of its destiny. There has been enough turmoil to satisfy most people, and the Free State stands in need of prosperity just now. That can be the outcome of a changed mode of politics, and as the Republicans are dropping their unconstitutional methods, surely the hopes for the future nr° brighter than before. Let us hope the highest expectation will he realised for the nation’s future

Tick AVestland Racing Club, in common with other racing institutions has felt the nincli of the more difficult times of late, hut it is pleasing to note from the report submitted to the animal meeting last night that the year showed a small profit . This, the first for some years, though less than £iiio. will be noire the less acceptable, and will bo accepted as some tangible evidence that the Club lias “turned the corner.” The Club now has a very fine property at the racecourse, wellftund for racing purposes from every point of view. The course ami appointments leave very little in he desired, a fact which accounts no dnubt for the amount of the funded debt. The Club from the figures disclosed, has also treated owners very liberally in the matter of stakes. Although the racing law permits a Clulv to keep within the limit of its lotalisalor revenue as a gunge for stakes offered, it will be seen that during the last ten vears the Club lias given £2d,6-.'9 in stakes, while the net returns to the Club from the tbtnlisalor have been £ls “00. The liberality of the Club in the matter thus accounts for some of the general indebtedness, but probably the position could not be helped, as in view of flic distance from other centres, stakes 'as liberal as possible must be offered io secure the patronage of outside owners. The Government as usual drew a substantial amount in racing taxation from tlm local meeting, deriving in all. some £lOlO for the throe days’ racing. Ho far there

is not any mention of any concession from the present Parliamentary session to Clubs, though there is some hope of tin* Gaming Act Amendment Bill passing, which would permit of money being telegraphed to Clubs, and so will give some indirect help by affording some increase in totnli.sntor revenue, in which also the Government participates directly The local Club has done well for the sport- locally, liv providing a first-class course, and doing its best to attract liberal paironago. The reputation of the Club on that account has been, enhanced greatly, and its general management of the sport lias been approved by patrons. Given fair weather Hie Club should coniimie to hold its own. and with some improvements in the fields rendered possible by the changes in hand, should have another fair season to help to improve its financial position still further.