Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1928, Page 4

The general political remarks of Mr Seddon last night served to remind his hearers of his stand on defence matters. It is essential that defence should he kept in the forefront of the national policy. The other day we reprinted from the Sydney Bulletin an article hearing on Australia’s dele nee I ess ness in the face even of mol* law in Adelaide when the revolutionary f trikers took charge. There was all the possibilities of a great national disaster and it seems the policy of the Labour party even in New Zealand is to court that state of affairs. One of the planks of the party in question as issued, was lor the repeal of the Military Service Act and the Defence Act on which the whole defence system, rests. Here, then, is something for the electors to contemplate if they are disposed to vote the present Political Labour Socialist party into power. The country would he stripped of defence, and in the event of a strike on the lines of the Australian extremists wo can imagine the license which the rahlde would take. It can he recalled in this connection how the present Labour Lenders in PUn harangued the police ami the navals who wore seeking to hold the peace at that delicate time. 3 Holland allowed his tongue to run aw" with him and he was charged with being guilty of making seditious utterances. Those who believe in the maintenance of law and order, and the absolute national security arc playin' with fire if they assist with their votes to help Labour to place and p *wor The repeal of the Defence Act, or even its modification, would rob New Zealand of its present security and give mol* law the opportunity to ride till a sanguinary tussle restored safety. 3Fr Seddon is therefore sound in his advocacy of the maintenance of our defence system and doing all the country can afford to do towards the defence of the Empire as an insurance and security against rabble law or the interference of outside nations in our oversea trading. Tt is a remarkable fact that the Labour platform does not endorse Empire unitv. While silent on the subject the discarded platform previously out forward did declare for international socialism on a class basis! This of course is the negation of both our national and itoperia oonstilutionlism. Likewise, it is in keeping with the extreme views of the party which it has been endeavouring

to tone down of late. But electors should be mindful, and as Mr Coates said the other evening when referring to the present soft spoken Mr Holland and the extreme Mr Holland of other days, can the leopard charge its spots" Rather should the electors realise that these advocates of the present clay Labour platform are as wolves in sheep’s clothing, and when the unthinking have been duped to the extent of placing the party in power, the political trickery which is possible will be revealed. Before it is too late the ambitions of Labour should be completely settled by the electors on Nov. 1-J t h.