The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1931. A PLAIN ISSUE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1931. A PLAIN ISSUE

If the plain issue before the electors of Hauraki to-morrow, is not clouded too much by party prejudices, t-hmi should be no doubt about the result of the polling for the Parliamentary candidates. It witty be expected mat the result of the election may have some effect on the trend of future legislation, and in the condition ot tlm country that might be a very serious matter. Jt is unfortunate that in a time of such stress there should ho such a scramble for the seat. It might have been expected that the j political forces standing for all that is best in the country, would be prepared to come together, if only temporarily, to make sure of the winning of the seat. But all the parties, practically, within the House, have champions, and in the great division of the voting strength it will be difficult to forecast the result. The Prime Minister opened the door to those disposed to support the policy of straightening out the finances of the country, so that the parties might come together, and : he was careful to leave it open sufficiently long enough to permit of an, adjustment of forces affecting tho Hauraki seat. But those whom he ex- j pected to accept the very generous [ offer made for a new and consolidated party-., rejected the -offer, and the put-I come, is a general conflict for tho seat, j Mr Forbes who invaded the electorate as soon as opportunity afforded,, has j placed the issue plainly before the electors. As he expressed if, th G * ssno was one as between the policy he espoused of balancing the budget, nnd those opposed who were out to undo the policy of economy promoted by the Government. The Labour leaders have been in the electorate promising to restore “cuts” and other methods of economy, so that neallv the fight is Government versus Labour. There is no question about the personal courage of Mr Forbes, both morally and physically. Ho recognised on his return from England what was the immed- 1 iate need of Now Zealand, and set about to provide it. In invading Havn\ aki he had to face organised forces of political opposition. The stock in trade of these folk appeal’s to be noise, and it is used to the fullest extent to prevent | free speech. The tactics were repeated the other day by mien of the railway union when they refused to listen to the Minister of Labour. Tt would appear that these followers.of Labour were not willing to hear the. whole truth about the country’s condition. This general attitude of Labour to howl clown opponents is not commendable. Tt appears to be a universal failing with the organisation. It was manifested in tine civic elections in Christchurch even after the battle had been fought and won, and there, was not enough chivalry among the victors to hear the defeated "speak lit is not to the credit of Labour to find this intolerance displayed, and this attitude of mind on the part of those who would lead and govern the country should be a warning to the masses of the serious danger there I s in class leadership which has such uncontrolled elements on the face of it, it should not he expected that Labour will triumph at Hauraki. In this grave national issue, more ballast is needed to face the facts and assist in handling a most difficult situation for the country’s well being. If we contrast the attitude of tines Government leader with that of his opponents, we should srjv that the Government candidate to-morrow will be the most serviceable of those offering for the peat. Mr Forbes proposes a certain lino of action which is being approved very whole henrtedly throughout the Dominion. He has shown his courage aim wisdom step by step i,n formulating his policy, nnd that policy has general public approval throughout the Dominion. The right course, therefore, is for Hauraki to send to Parliament as its representative a definite supporter of the Government, and the moral effect ot such netjon*will be all the better for New Zealand. Just now at the cross roads as it were, Mr Forites would he greatly encouraged by such action, and Hauraki can do something definite and useful for the Dominion as a. whole by returning the Government candidate to-morrow.

Thk need for an alteration in Great Britain’s fiscal policy that will conserve New Zealand’s 'main oversea market was einplias’sej by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. \Y. Forbes, in his Gtaliulm address last week, when briefly reviewing the results of the Imperial Conference. Mr Forbes observed that there appeared to be an impression in some quarters that because the Imperial Conference could not conic to an agreement in regard to a system of preferential duties for the Ei.. t me it had been a failure. To a certain extent that was, of course, true, *ut a great deal of useful work had been accomplished in directing public attention to the imatter. Each of the Do ruinous was in favour of a system of tariff protection combined with effective preference for British goods, but the British Government found itself unable to reciprocate. Other alternative proposals were discussed, and the proposed conference to be held at Ottawa in a few months’ time would give further consideration to such questions as quotas, import bi.tTr'ds, bulk purchase schemes and the organisation of channels of trade. “1 am strongly of opinion,” said the Prime Minister, “that the future economic welfare of the Empire will depend on an increased trade, and any measures to this end will have the hearty support of the Government, f -should like to make it clear that there was no question of Dominion Prime Ministers ‘endeavouring to influence either the British Government or the people of the United Kingdom for the benefit of the Dominions. It was rather in the earnest hope that our proposals would help in providing a solution of tile important fiscal problems confronting the Empire as a whole that our suggestions were made.” Mr Forbes declared that unless there was a change in the fiscal policy of the Imperial Qovcernp-enfc, nothing could he expected from discussions, because when a Free Trade policy was adhered to it wa.s futile to expect tile provision of a measure of preferential tariff for Dominion goods. One could not say wliat change would come, but nothing could lie hoped for unless a new Government favouring preferential tariffs were returned to power. .The preference tariff was a question of outstanding public importance in the Old Country at present, and it was of great moment to New Zealand to have some feeling of security regarding its main oversea market, because practically everything depended upon the sale of the Dominion’s primary products in Great Britain. It was therefore of the utmost importance to see that the market w;r not swamped with good s from foreign countries. The position had been made cle&r to the Imperial Government, and Mr Forbes was hopeful that a change in public opinion would influence the Home authorities or that during the next election they would come to recognise that a change in policy was necessary. It was to he hoped that there would be an alteration in that respect that would enable New Zealand to make an arrangement that would bo thoroughly satisfactory to both countries,