The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1931. THE EXAMPLE OF HAURAKI.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1931. THE EXAMPLE OF HAURAKI.

Tin-: proposal to have a quartette election for the Hauraki seat in the House, is not a very impressive ex- > ample of the realisation of the fitness of thing s by the political parties at this juncture. The four candidates nominated are representative of Reform, Labour, United and Country Party. Thi s suggests how the country is torn asunder at a time when there should be internal unity to meet a most difficult financial position, The seat nominally .should go to Reform, the deceased representative being an adherent of that party. But Labour is contesting the seat with the plain spoken purpose of fighting tin* Government economy proposals With that determination in mind, it the country is to bo put to the cost of an election, the most fitting thing would be to see Labour and a Government candidate light the issue to a finish. As it is, with four candidates in the field, the electorate will he hopelessly divided, and there can be no proper guaging of the wishes of the electors, unless the votes for Reform, United and Country Party are put in the scale against the Labour vote. Obviously the Country Party should not be in this fray at this juncture. The Government has been doing all it can for the man on Phe fin cl. notwithstanding .tlirjt tSio House contains only one Country Party representative. The party organisation should he well satisfied »»uti what is being done for them, and throw in their lot with the United candidate. Reform through its leader lias professed a desire to help the Government where it can. Mr Coates missed one opportunity v " doing the right thing when he refused the fusion offer, but here is a second opportunity to give practical assistance. However, Hauraki which as far as the internal Reform organisation is concerned, ha* supported Mr Coates iff declining the generous offer of Mr Forbes to set: up n National Party, Consequently the chances are Mr Coates will be disposed to miss the second opportunity for a stroke of real statesmanship in the country’s financial dilemma. We may expect the political fight to go on, and instead of planning to save ttie credit of the country, the parties will he at each other’s throats till the 27th. ilist, jealous of each other winning a single vote. If Mr Coates’ professions are to count for anything, lie can, when he wishes with his Party, turn the Government out, without the help of the vote of the new member for Hauraki. But the moral value inside and outside the country of the Government winning the seat in a straight out poll on a plain issue of economy or no economy, should he snffi. out inducement for Mr Coates to sink party, and not only have the way open fop the United candidate to win the seat, but assist also by personal effort to do so. The present condition of affairs in this country calls for that line of statesmanship from all those desirous of seeing the ship- of State set on a level financial keel. Nor is their any great sacrifice in so doing. Tn a few months time the general elections will he at hand, and if Mr Coates is not satisfied with the Government policy as developed by them, he could be free to act as lie thought best. That seems to he the true view of the Hauraki by-election- It is not a. time to stir up political stvifp, nor attempt toipriake political capital when the country is trying to bridge a difficult financial crossing. Roth Reform and the Country Party should recognise that, and shape their course in this election accordingly.