THE BYE ELECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1929, Page 3

THE BYE ELECTION

FOR RAY OF ISLANDS. TWO CANDIDATES. WHANGAREI, March 27. Alien Bell and Harold Montagu Rush worth were the only candidates nominated at tlie Bay of Islands byeelection. POSITION OF CANDIDATES.’ AUCKLAND. March 2d. A review of candidates’ issues in the Bay of Islands b.ve-election is made by tlie “Herald’s” Kailcohe correspondent, who says:— Although interest is intense, it lias not raised the political temperature in the constituency to anything approaching fever-point. The issues at present are too confused and involved to focus party feeling. Polling day is April 10. At first the election seemed to be a struggle by the Reform Party to recapture the scat from tlfe Country Party, but declarations by Mr Bell that he is not a one-eyed politician, and that ho is not a strong party man, added to the fact. that he has so far refused to give a direct reply to a question as to how he would vote in the event of M.i Coates bringing forward a no-confi-dence motion, have created a widespread impression that Sir Joseph Ward is feeling quite easy over the result of the election. Mr Rushworth’s attitude toward the Government is more definite. Tie has pledged himself to support the Government on any noconfidence motion so long as it is moved along lines that will promote land settlement and so restore the eco-' noinic balance. So the tendency of events is carrying the contest into a duel of personalities, In fact, a circular issued by Mr Bell’s committee expressly states that the election should not be fought on party lines. This drift suits the temper of the electorate. Politics in the Dominion’s northernmost constituency is quite unlike politics in any other electorate in New Zealand. The majority of electors are more interested m personalities than politicians, and they prefer to see their member basking in the sun of Government favour ratheithan experiencing the keener air of the shades of Opposition. The electorate naturally feels that its interests are better served by being represented by a Government supporter than an Opposition member, and so it has become almost a tradition of the electorate that its member must at least bo on friendly terms with the Government. In order that be may conform to this unwritten law, the electors allow him an elasticity of political conscience that is not extended to every politician. Mr Houston, member in the days of the Seddon regime, was a Liberal, and Mr Vernon Reed, who succeeded him as a supporter of the Liberal policy, had to do very little in the way of explanation when lie turned over to the Reform Party, lot bis act kept the constituency on the sunny side of the fence. Mr Bell, who displaced Mr Reed, went in as an Independent, but immediately occupied a tent in the Reform camp without any protest from bis electors. ' The Bay of Islands electorate has 102 polling centres, and as candidates make a point of addressing the electors wherever there is a polling booth it means that for the two months picceding the election they have to deliver two and sometimes three speeches a day. Mr Bell’s addresses in the present campaign do not deal with politics, but with his personal work during the fifteen years he has lived in tho North, and more particularly with his work during the six years he has represented the constituency in Parliament. Ho claims to have suggested to Mr Coates the present Public Works road policy. lie is in favour of moderate Protection, and says I hat Freetrade within the Empire is impossible.

Asked whether in the event of a measure being brought forward to which the Reform Party was opposed and on which no free vote was allow nd, lie would disobey the party whip. Mr Hell replied that the idea that every member of the party had to obey the party whip was absolutely wrong He could not disclose caucus so roots, but there was no clmuce of a no-confi-dence motion being moved by Mr Coates during the next two and a hall years. There was no use discussing wliat would take place after that, further than that be would not go, excepting to say that be would support all legislation brought down by the present Government which be deemed was in the interests ol New Zealand and bis electorate. .Mr Ihisliwortb addresses bis audience's on lines totally different, from those of bis opponent, lit* says that although lie is a farmers’ candidate lie does not regard everything from one point of view. He claims to deal with the broader and bigger questions which New Zealand lias to face to-day, and which will affect materially the welfare of the present and future generations-. He advocates removal rtf taxation on the necessities of life and tools of production, nationalisation of main highways, better educational facilities foi- country children, finance for farmers through an agricultural bank, and a vigorous land settlement policy. Mr Bell’s committee in a circular assert that lie is an “outstanding roads and bridges member.” and bis supporters label Mr Rushwortli a visionary. On tlie other band, Mr R.usliwo.rth’s committee claims in a counterblast that so far from local interests suffering from Mr Rushworth’s return the reverse will emphatically be tlie case, and while being a good local member be will prove an outstanding figure in Parliament.