ELECTION JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1928, Page 2

ELECTION JOTTINGS

In 1912 .Sir Joseph Ward was edged out of power by the Reform Party, after an indecisive general election. Another indecisive general election now gives him the chnce of returning the compliment with interest, lor on tins occasion there is no question ol detaching a stray vote or two to determine a dubious balance. But lie lb re an early session is summoned to clarify the position we trust that Sir Joseph Ward may have reconsidered the problem in the light of his new responsibility and come to the conclusion that neither in opposition nor in office can the Liberalism which he lias inherited irom Grey and Ballance afford to co-operate with the Socialism of the Labour Party.” (Wellington “Post.”)

Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at the Dunedin railway station, said: “I have no idea what the Labour Party may do, as no consultation whatever took place between its leader or any of the party and myself before or during the general election campaign. 1 mention this because it was suggested during the contest that we had some understanding, and it is only fair to them and to myself to say that such is not the case. The results of the polling, taking them over the whole country, show that -aero has been an emphatic effort by the electors to change the Government. .1 am convinced that as a result of a minority vote no fewer than three Ministers who have been elected represent a considerable minority in each of their electorates. ’’

The “Otago Daily Times” recalls that three years ago overtures for a fusion were made on the part of the Nationalist Party, as it was then called, and they were followed by formal negotiatins. Unfortunately an influential section of the Reform Party looked coldly upon the proposal and it came to nought. The result of the general

election in 1928 may render imperative a political development that might have been successfully effected in 1925.

In summing up the election result,tiie “Auckland Star” said: The Government lose, at time of writing, 25 seats, and its losses are distributed over the Dominion from the Bay of Islands to Awarua. While the country lias not given a majority to any party of opposition, it lias emphatically pronounced against the Government. There was nothing porsmnl in tbiverdict. As a man .Mr (.bales is a iupiilar as ever, and his opponents, viewing his sudden reversal of fortune, will be sorry for him. He has given his best to the country, but the country lias said that it lias no liking for his Government. It is a pity that in the hour of defeat lie was denied a In-aring by one of the clouds in Wellington. Chivalry bad its place in politics as in all other activities. Similarly, t:e defeat of bis colleagues was a purely political decision. The downfall of the Minister of Lands was probably the most significant of the election’s sensations. Air .McLeod is the strongest personality among the Prime Minister’s colleagues, and he bad to boar-the main part of the responsibility for the Government’* hopeless failure to develop a land settlement policy.

In the course of a speech at Dunedin. Sir Joseph Ward .said : The United Party had been very successful at the polls, and ho was confident it was the strongest party in the House to-day.— (Applause). He called attention to the fact that a number of members bad been returned on a minority vote, and said that such a state of things ought to be altered by means probably of a single transferable vote. He thought a change in that direction would be desirable.—(Applause). The next time he came to Dunedin, it might be he would come as Prime Minister.—(Applause). Undoubtedly, the present Government could not hold office for the reason that it did not possess the confidence of the country, and without that confidence its acts were limited. He expected that within a short time Mr Coates would either resign or call Parliament together, when a vote would fie taken to decide the position. He believed that if Air Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) wore to move a vote of no-confidence in the United Party, the Prime Minister and lii.s party would support it.—(Laughter). Tue affairs of the country would be safe

in the hands of the United Party. Its prngrnme would fie for the benefit of the people, and it would be carried out in Lbat careful manner that could be looked for Irom its supporters. It was a programme that would infuse nr mv liojie, more vigour, and more spirit into the people, and at the same time provide employment for many men who were in need of it.—(Appla use).

The •‘Auckland Star" states: Liberalism lias come into it> own again. To lne veteran leader of the party the warmest congratulations arc due. Invercargill said wliat it thought of Sir Joseph Will’d by increasing bis majority from 159 to 2928, and the country responded to his rallying cry by more lean doubling tlie strength of the oarty. At such a time a.-, ibis provin•ial cou.-idcrati..ns must lake second ■ dace to national, but we will be exmsed if we point out bow well Auckland city and siilmr’-s and the province 1 1 ave served the Liberal cause. Greater \ nek lands sends five United Party neinbors to Parliament, and several •ountry electorates have been won for the party. The rapture of five seats in ireatcr Auckland (by candidates of an •xcellent stamp) is the most conspieii) us feature of the United Party’s teneral success. In congratulating varmly these and oilier new members -ii their victory, we do not forget: that be men they displace gave faithful ■■or vice to the city and the province. The Labour Party has improved its position, but not so much as it had expected. The success of Liberalism should convince it that it lias no hope of reaching office under anything like flu l banner of its original programme, whereas it can obtain from Liberalism most ,of what is contained in the Labour election manifesto.

“The best laid schemes o’ mice and men gang aft agley.”—Burns.

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