WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1931, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

NEED OF THE-'COUriTRY. , ' man. (Special Correspondent). • WELLINGTON, July 23. , While there'' is; nothing particularly heroic in the'deterrriinatidn qf the Re* form Party to' ; alloW the •primevMimßter to renew his possession of the Hurunui seat at the approaching general election ..without a . contest, it is f • encouraging find a] c&mmuriity feiq.dy to : give its confidence to a' strong '’man rather than to ,a; ipere politician.. .Ailjr H. O'. Liyings(pue } tlie jorhsident (itf'tlie Canterbury Divisional Executive ,of the Reform Party,' lias ‘explained the position" with admirable ; tact ‘an(| ca'ni dour. “At the present time,’’ he urged upon the Executive,,“it is desirable to; retain the services qfithOse parliapientarians, irrespective of party) who haye shown their willingness and ability to take a ; ' ciotir«e of kot}pn !w|joh will as* sis't in ibringi.ngiVljJjje conditions oft qiir’ primary- and.secondary.' industries into a letter state. they, stand to-day.’! Npr. is Mr iiyi'njgstqnq nor. are .those associated with him oqnflning their vision to matters .immediately affecting . themselyes,. . !lf heyarq, concerned for the great national problems at stake. “A Oppt) LEAD.” / Tile “EveninaT*oßti[* under this im* pressive heading, applauds warmly the step taken by Air Livingstone and hi? in thU national moyement. “PubKo opimphi’’ it says, - “will vfjj* dorse the action of, Reiorm supporters in Huriinui in deoidjng not to nominate a candidate to oppose Air Forbes. Approval will be;,expressed plso of the reasons "iven by,, the Canterbury Divisional Executive of the Reform PaHy. We hope that the United Party.. Will give practical pi oof of its approval by adopting . the suggestion not "to nominate a candidate against the Leader of the Opposition. We see no reason for restricting this application df a partial truce to the two leaders. On both sides of the House there are member# who have given holiest and courageous national service. ~lf a National Party cannot -be formed at least the' parties can agree tb-consider some candidate as truly national.” This last suggestion favours somewhat of “fusion” and perhaps this after all is the goal of Re-;’ form. ' '/r.V- . ■/; / t - : “CLARIFYING THE POLITICAL ' , . ISSUE.” •' ' '‘ ' ' ' . ‘V :V . i*v" M ’ V‘; ' The “Dominion” this morning, going further than its local contemporary und4r an expressive title,, seems to have realised that' candour and clar* *4^?f»r*" s WAetttly^nSeded' ; 'ih : ith’e^fioiUt* . ion of the present pdliticai situation. “Not so much significahoe'might have been attached to this Hunwui overture,” it says, “were it not, backed ; s by the approval'':of ntke Divisional Executive v j’of the Reform Party.. Hero is represented influential support in what; is'often considered a politically minded 'province,v not. only for this particular arrangement, but for' others of a 1 like sort.’ However, such downright ...people may dislike compromise, and however difficult they may, find it to 'forget the extravagant policy, of the. United Government in it 3 first two' years, of l’office land- its; many administrative blunders, nevertheless, as practical men and women,: most of them, will, agree with the Canterbury Executive that on this occasion, there are special , circumstances.” i Here at least is an admission that Air Forbes and ,his present colleagues were but remotely responsible .for the Cabinet happenings of ,two; years ago. ; "

SPECIAL CIRCUAISTANCES. That., however, is another story. After quoting the insistance of the Canterbury Reformers upon the retention of the services of those Parliamentarians, irrespective of party, who have shown their willingness and ability to render service, the “Dominion,” says: “Few will dispute that Air Coates and Sir Forbes answer to that definition of political worthiness and eligibility or t.iat there are others in both parties who could be ‘paired,’ thus practically guaranteeing the' retention of services vhich are of value to the State.’ ’This is a on which Mr‘ Forbes is not ,disposed to* ‘enlarge, just now, Mr Coates , not having yet concluded his review of,a previous proposal ; but the Prime Minister says his statement concerning a timely understanding between .the parties remains intact and that at any opportune period he is ready to return to a (friendly discussion'of the situation. Delay, he admits, may have somewhat prejudiced the position, but the parties, he thinks still might get together with material advantage to the country.