The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1931.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1931.

THE WESTLAND SEAT. TriE die finite announcement of opposition to the. sitting member (Mr O’Brien) came as a. surprise to many, though the prospect of a Coalition candidate coming forward was forecasted some time ago. However, thvre is now no doubt, because Mr J. W. Greeinslade is actively campaigning. He visited Hokitika, briefly yesterday, and met several supporters and the I members of' a committee was set up. The public life of Mr Greenslade has I led for some years, and the prominent positions held, make him no stranger iby reput e to the general public. He is probably not known as well ouitsuue , his immediate centre, but there is now the opportunity for better acquaintance. Having been selected as the official Coalition candidate, his politics will be well understood, ana the sharp division with tile Labour camdulnlte will bo realised. On tne larger issue of country before either party or district, Mr Greenslade must secure very general support up and down Westland. He will have the united support of both the Liberal and Reform elements in the .electorate, .and those forces, actively combined will make him a, very formidable opponent to (the sitting member. Mr O’Brien apart .fpom his strong Labour leaning, has not served the district at all unfaithfully. He has been an active worker in general interests, and outside the; .vet Labour supporters ha's made many friends. He lias manifested an interest in the general affairs and requirements of Westland, and it would not be fair to ignore those services, which as far as we have been able to glean, were clear of all party leaning. But it is unfortunate that be is so directly opposed to the Government and its policy, and lias certainly been rather aggressive in the House at times. While this will detract from li.is candidature, there will always remain feelings of appreciation (whatever the result of the election) for his person a I energies and ready assistance in regard to district matters. Mr O’Brien’s candidature will 'therefore- not ' excite any spiteful opposition, 1 and there is every reason 'to expect the contest to be conduetted on the most friendly lines. The .time'is short for a complete itinerary of the electorate, but this ig not of such mommut on this occasion, The issue on which the election ig to be conducted is the support or otherwise of 'the Government policy :to mmiimtiaiin tjie .credit of the country, and so avoid a worse condition of affairs than has yet come to pass. The Labour policy is one couidling financial disaster, and iff would be well if it were checked in this Dominion as definitely, as it was dome in the Homeland, practically the main issue there and here are identical,, and that being so, democracy may 'be trusted to do the right thing in time of difficulty and peril, when the alternative is .a. policy of nebulous promises impossible to fulfil without wrecking the finances of the country, and leaving the worker in a; worse position than/ ever he has been. The issue is therefore fined down to a definite point, and Mr Greenslade has the easy task of 'sunpouting the policy which has already done much ,to maintain the credit of New Zealand, and which promises to he more beneficial in the immediate future, because it is the, safe policy of husbanding the country’s finance in relation to its best n«ie, though necessarily at a curtailed amount because of a falling revenue. The situation calls for the greatest safety a.nd the' personnel of the present Ministry suggests that will be most carefully exercised.