Manawatu Herald TUESDAY SEPTEM., 22nd, 1925. THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2939, 22 September 1925, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY SEPTEM., 22nd, 1925. THE COMING ELECTIONS.

THE fact that two prospeetive candidates for (lie Mnnawatu Seal have now made public appearance in Foxton to air their views on politics has stimulated a certain amount of interest in the forthcoming General Elections. Mr. Ben Roberts, the official Labour candidate, lias spoken in most parts of this electorate, but just now, we understand, has returned to his home in Carterton, and will continue his campaign at a later date. Mr. P. L. 110 l 1 nigs, a Liberal-Lab-our advocate, announced his intention of nominating under that title and addressed the electors of Foxlon in the Town Hall last Thursday evening. What Mr. ITollings had to say in support of his candidature was somewhat trilling as viewed from the standard expected in these days of universal education and enlightenment, and did not seem to impress his small audience as being based on essential facts and sincerity. The day is long past when a political candidate, by mere abuse and inference, can convince his hearers that a Government, party or candidate is undesirable, and that a change is needed in the interests of the country. Electors nowadays do most of (heir own thinking, and their power of deduction is equal to that of those who aspire to represent them in Parliament. What is expected of an aspirant for political honours is that he have a thorough grasp of the problems of the day, some concrete conception of their solution from tlie national standpoint, and the ability to impart to his hearers his views in a concise and interesting way. Mr. ITollings' address was devoid of substance, and consisted in the main of an attack on the Press of New Zealand and the Reform Government, couched in general terms, and hearing nothing whatever of a convincing nature. The Press of New Zealand can afford to treat with contempt any utterance that a political candidate might make in an attempt to conceal political weakness, and such inference as “that the people had their suspicions Hint the Press of New Zealand was bought: over by the Reform Party" is really only an attempt on Mr IloHings’ part to touch a chord of sympathy that may be present in those who are strongly bigoted against the present. Government. .11 is attitude in utterly condemning the Reform Government without conceding to that Party one good point is an attitude that, on consideration, will even appeal to himself as being ridiculous. Even in local matters Mr. 110 l lings failed to keep within the bounds of common knowledge; be stated that Foxton was served with only one train a day on the Foxton-Palmerston line. The facts are that, we now have a two-train service that is perhaps more satisfactory than it lias ever been. Regarding Mr. ITollings’ statement as to the Palmerston-Wellington train service being inconvenient, we quite concede that the cutting out of the express stop at Levin is viewed with disfavour in that town, but the service so far as Foxton residents are concerned is quite convenient, especially for those wishing to make a one-day trip to the Capital City.