WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1930, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE TWO ELECTIONS.

OPPOSITION’S ADVANTAGE.

(Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, October 6

The Deform Opposition has two distinct advantages , over the United Party in the Waipawa and the 'Western M;*ori by-elections. Sir George Hunter, the deceased member for Waipawa, had held his seat for many years against aspiring and well-equip-ped candidates, and though his major ities were not large he won and deserved much, personal popularity both in his constituency and in Parliament. Sir Maui Pomare, with the exception of liis contemporary, Sir Apirana Nga-, ta. was the most distinguished of his race that had sat in the House and to a wide knowledge of affairs he added a striking personality and a charming manner. Then tlie Right Hon. JCoates, the leader of the Opposition, who has freed himself from the wonies of Parliament in order that lie may g*ive his whole attention to the interests of the Reform candidates in the campaign has had the field much to himself. The local supporters of Mr Jull appear, however, to have made good progress in the Waipawa constituency and the prospects still favour the United candidate. THE OPPOSITION’S TURN. . The leader , page of the “Dominion this morning is devoted mainly to. reports and iterations of Mr Coates s. by-election sayings and doings, .and jt> must be admitted that the leader ,of the Opposition is applying himself with right good will to the business',die .has; in hand. “People say to he is' reported as saying at one of Jjie hack blocks in the Waipawa constituency, “why don’t you. get Jww could we come to terms with' a :? patty which we consider to have let the country down absolutely.” The people who have been talking to Mr Coates along these lines do not understand what “getting together” means and well may have confused him by their entangled suggestion. The only reason so far put forth for a coalition between the Reform and the United Parties is that it would stay the progress of the Labour Party,- and now Mr Coates has added to this the assertion that “the differences between • ourselves and the United Party are fundamental”, without explaining where, thy differences lie. Ui'Uj FACING FACTS.- f: ;'VU^r; ; 7

In the matter of economy, to which the Opposition Leader: attaches much importance, it cannot be fairly claimed that the Reform Party,, did. more in this direction during its last three years of office than the United Party is doing to-day, “All primary products showed a declining tendency ’, ho declared on Saturday, “but the present Government had taken no steps to meet the coming oomlitionS. They had increased the taxation, increased administrative costs and increased borrowing. In 1928 Reform had spent £BOO,OOO on railway construction, and in the year ended on March 31 last the, present Government had spent £ljßoo,ooo or more than double that amount.” All this may have been useful enough when addressed to an assembly of : country people who do not. study the public accounts over closely, but Mr Coates himself would scarcely ask them to believe that the present Government- was: responsible for the decline in the price of primary products, and that the former Government saved a cool milton by delaying the progress of railway works. THE RAILWAYS.

The Acting-Prime Minister having practically undertaken that the present session of Parliament shall end with this week there is little prospect ot the report of the Railway Committee being considered during the remaining days of the session. Of course—it is'being said—if the Government were doing its duty it would apply itself to the settlement of this all important question before sending members off to their homes. The report has been generally approved by the public here, who probably know more about the transport system of the Dominion than do other commercial sections of the community. The Committee, of course, has not framed any definite scheme for the adjustment of the relations between the railways and the existing road services but there is a feeling aboard that the members of the Committee are well disposed towards a reasonable compromise between road and rail and that the proposal of the existing management to practically drive the lorries off the road will not be tolerated. The general public would be averse to any such proceeding.