POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2500, 31 October 1922, Page 3

POLITICAL.

The date of the general election has been definitely fixed for Thursday, December 7th. That leaves candidates about . five weeks in

which to get into touch with the electors. Some candidates, however, have been on the job for several weeks and therefore have a start over those whose Parliament tary.duties have kept them in Wellington. There used to be an unwritten law among candidates that active campaign work should not commence until after Parliament had closed ljut this arrangement in most electorates is not now observed.

Early campaigning, however, has its disadvantages. A candidate’s views become exhausted and stale aiid electors are enabled to devote a. fair amount of time to a close analysis of the candidate’s personal qualifications—a." most important consideration.

In the present state of things in this Dominion and Empire the personal equation is vital. It’s all very well to say “never npnd the man — it’s the party!” That is a false and vicious teaching. Rather become disfranchised than record a vote for a candidate whose moral character is. not ; above suspicion. Crooked candidates no matter of what 'party, are the spoilers of clean legislation and administration. They are as “brown rot” to the apple crop. If the British Empire is to fulfil its Devine destiny then the representatives of the people in our Parliaments must be men of honour and integrity. The ambitious, scheming individual who takes to polities as a profession falls short OjE the higher qualifications and should be east out. Party policies and parly government are in the nature of things political, but are ofttimes prejudiced and marred by unscrupulous and cunning advocates.

4 ll A statement made at a Nelson political meeting, that Mr Isitt had definitely disassociated himself from the Liberal Party, caused that member to make a statement in the House last week. He said: “I contradict that statement. 1 am still nj staunch member of the Liberal Party, under Mr Milford's leadership.”

i Ml- J. Lipklater, Reform candidate for Manawatn, will address the electors al'Kairanga Hall, Kairanga, to-morrow night at 8 o’clock. The executive of the Manawatn Reform Party met at Shannon and Levin to-dav. The Reform candidate., Mr Link! a ter was iiraltendance and addressed the meetings. Reports were received from the various district- committees. Mr Gordon Eliott presided at both meetings.