WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

TITIC GENERAL ELECTIONS. T’ARTY PREPARATIONS. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, .March 5. The gossip of the week-end tells of preparations for-the General election in Christchurch on a scale which might suggest that the " Cathedral City” is bent on recoveries' some of its former status in the political firmament of the Dominion. It is said that influential Catherines of Reformers were held there last week ami that the Prime .Minister, the lion. A. D. McLeod, and the lion. Iv. S. Williams were in close consultation with representatives of their party fathered from all parts ol the country. Rumour has it that at these consultations several representatives of tin l party in the Mouse cave it as their opinion that Reform hud lost much of its kudos and a great deal of its popularity since last general election, principally on account of its coquetting with .socialistic measures and its indecisive handling of the Licensing Hill. It is reported, apparently on very good authority, that Air David Jones has been appointed as the party’s organiser in the South Island and that the Hon. A. 1). .McLeod will again act in the capacity of organiser in chief. Two important positions could not have been better filled, but neither of the appointees need be envied bis task. HOPSON’S CHOICE. That Reform is not likely to repeal at the end of the year its sweeping victory of 1925, its most ardent adherents readily admit. First of all. they recognise there is the “swing of the pendulum ” which is not likely to be held back again as it was in the case of .Mr Seddon, by the sheer magnetism of the man, and in the ease of .Mr .Mas-' spy by some of the same kind of magnetism and the divisions in the ranks of the' Opposition. Then there is the plain fact that .Mr Coates, with all his good intentions and all his personal advantages. is neither .Mr Seddon nor Mr Massey. Finally, and above and beyond all this, is the Government’s failure to satisfy the eommereial community and its estrangement of a large section of rural electors. Put while admitting all this, the only half satisfied Reformers, still clinging to tho party in their many thousands, seem to have tbe best of tho argument when an alternative to the present Government, is being discussed. The United New Zealand Political Party continues to bear up under the burden of its name and its undisclosed platform, but there is no indication, except from its own manifestos, of its making any progress in popular favour. THE COUNTRY PARTY. The United New Zealand Political Party, by tbe way, also appears to have been making a mild demonstration ill Christchurch, either on its own initiative or at tbe request of one section or another ol the Liberal Party. “We are right on the job,” a modest sponsor ol the movement, too shy to disclose his name, told a reporter, “and at tbe next election will contest about seventy of the eighty Parliamentary seats, flic name of tho party lias not yet been decided upon, neither lias the permanent leader been appointed. -Mr George Forbes is the leader of tbe National Party, which has joined up as a body. Tjie Country Party in the .Auckland Province Ims si Iso promised to work amicably with us. A great deal of preliminary work has already been done, and splendid support, is assured. AVe will have no diliiculty in seeming suitable ' candidates lor all the seats, which it is decided to contest.” On Saturday a correspondent assured the “Evening Post” that the Country Party in the Waikato District had no working agreement whatever with the United Party. And so the plots of the parties continue to deepen. NATION A r/iSI NO INDUSTRIES. An old imlilical campaigner while pronouncing the speech ol the Alinister of Finance at Dunedin last week as easily the best yet delivered during the recess, professes to be hugely amused by Air Stewart's denunciation of tbe State’.'! intrusion into private enterprise. “ Experience shows.” the .Minister is reported as saying, “that nationalised industries too often produce only deficits which mean adding to the burdens of tbe taxpayer. The profits which industry earns in private bands tend to disappear under tile heavy hand of the State. Not only so. but the worker finds that under State ownership lie has merely changed his boss, but not materially improved his status or conditions of work, while the capitalist who lias been bought out with Government bonds enjoys a secure and guaranteed income without the risk and anxiety of managing private enterprise.” The critic maintains that il the 'Minister really used these words he was actually denouncing the policy of tbe Government of which be is a most important member. Afr Stewart and his colleagues, be declares, have done more towards nationalising the country’s industries than any combination of Liberal and Labour ever have attempted. For the present bis own political friends .are not disposed to offer any comment upon the .Minister’s denunciation of Socialism.