WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1928, Page 8

WELLINGTON TOPICS

IMPENDING ELECTION. PUBLIC STILL APATHETIC (Special to “ Guardian ”.)

WELLINGTON, November 8

Though the candidates themselves are throwing a good deal of vigoui into the eleetion cani])aign, a great number of the electors remain strangely apathetic in regard to both its pro gross and its issue. It has been suggested that the general lack of interest in the daily proceedings is due to a wide-spread idea that the Reformers are sure to retain possession ol the Treasury Benches and that Labour is hound to remain the Official Opposition. But this is taking for granted a good deal that is not accepted as being inevitable hv experienced observers. 'these authorities emphasise the fact that while the Prime -Minister, as in duty bound, is scouring the whole country with an appeal for.a continuance of confidence in Relorm, not one of liis .colleagues has ventured far beyond the boundaries of his own constituency. Even the Mon. A. 1). -McLeod, the Minister of Lands, hitherto the most willing fighter in the Cabinet, seems to he tied to Wairnrapa by a. •• United ” candidate, whom three years ago lie would have simply ignored. Rdfonn, evidently is less confident than it might he. THE SPORTING SPIRIT. For the time being the “ Evening Post” is a little more chivalrous than is its local morning contemporary. In electing Sir Joseph Ward to the position of leader the party made an excellent choice,” it said last night in noticing Sir Joseph’s return to the platform, “as lie was the one man available with the necessary weight, experience, and standing to impress the public, and to enable the party to justify its title by eliminating the jealousy and friction and must have linen provoked by the selection ol a weaker leader. Sir Joseph justified the choice by the speech at Auckland in which he displayed much of the old eloquence and force and all of the old sanguine spirit. . . . On the ground of fair play, no less than that e<l personal goodwill, the country is glad to know that Sir Joseph Ward is on the warpath again, and that he appears to he in good lighting form.” The accounts of Sir Joseph Ward's progress towards his constituency and his reception there suggest that the public is ready to endorse the “ Post’s ” appreciation of the “ United ” leader.

AX ODIOUS COMPARISON

The Prime Minister will scarcely thank the reporter who handled his speech at Levin last nigb.t for tlie prominence given in the “Dominion” this morning to his reply to an inquiry as to who was the hotter financier, Sir Joseph AVard or Mr Downie Stewart. “ Downic Stewart every time,” was his answer. “He would bury the other man. He has always been able to meet any question or criticism, no matter who it comes Irom. Why, Sir Joseph Ward, when he is in the House, always talks of politics of twenty years ngo. He is not up to date with current politics. On the other hand, Air Downie Stewart is one of the greatest financiers New Zealand has produced. In view oil the fact that the Reform Party called upon Sir Joseph AVard to see it through the financial difficulties of the war period it is certain that so good a, sportsman as Air Coates is ivill wish on reflection that he had expressed himself differently. Had lie recalled the negotiations that preceded the formation of the National ( ahiiiet he could not have been guilty of such an odious comparison. LABOUR.

The Labour candidates are obtaining good meetings almost everywhere, the exceptions being in the small rural districts where they offer no attractive appeal to the settlers. Whether or not their party is making the progress its supporters claim is a moot question. The Reformers proclaim that the Official Opposition o's beaten and even the “ Unitcds ” pro!ess to he sure of stepping into Labour’s shoes. Mr Holland and his colleagues, of course, offer quite a. different summary of the position. “The conspicuous thing about the electoral campaign during the past week.” Mr Peter Fraser declared last night when speaking in |iis own constituency, “ is that the Perform Party is on the run. Even in the country districts, wherever the Prime Minister lias spoken it has been evident the people are strongly against the Government. The distress ol the Reform Party is manifest in the press, particularly in the Reform organs, which come out every morning foaming and frothing in head lines.” And still Air Coates expects to retain bis huge majority ! Quite likely be will secure a majority big enough to serve Ins party’s purposes.