THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, 31 December 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Otifei Sett. Elsewhere we publish the ofSeia! figured of the result of the Otakj election of member of the House of Represses tatives. It will be seen that 31r Field was elected by a majority of 1253. The number of valid votes polled was 5013. Thus Mr Field has an absolute majority of 313—a performance of *hieh our member and his supporters may well feel proud. At the 1914 election. Mr Field had a majority of a little under 700 over Mr Robertson, who defeated Mr Field in 1911, in the second ballot, by a very narrow margin. Mr Field is entitled to every credit for his great victory, which is a tribute to our member’s popularity and his untiring energies on behalf of the electors of this district over a great many years. Mr Field's big majority has a much wider significance, however. It is undoubtedly a definite pronouncement from rhe electors of this district in favour of a stable, moderate Government, as represented by the Beform Party, as opposed to government by extremists, represented by ‘be official Labour candidate (Mr 3. McKenzie). ■Without detracting in any way from Mr Field's many estimable qualities, and his splendid achievement in this election, we unhesitatingly say that, had the election been fought on the purely personal merits of the candidates, the result would have been very difEcrost, Mr Field’s majority would fcsvp base mylt retailer, and same of the candidates;. wn:s.4 polling was very small would have showed up Stitch better,' Id is an open secret that fcjtntizftj* of elaeusrr who favoured the candidature of Mr Macdonald or Mr Irhersrood voted for Mr Held- They felt that yitsc tiri> had so £op* ei

election, ami therefore they voted for the Reform candidate with the determination to keep the Labour man out. Seeing that he was an entire stranger to the district, and that this electorate cannot be said to be a Labour stronghold in any way. Mr McKcnzie did well to poll 15S8 votes against such a popular and experienced politician as Mr Field, and ho deserves credit for the good fight he put up. Mr Ishenvood never had a chance in the contest, he being almost a complete stranger, and his illness preventing his addressing meetings. Mr Macdonald showed considerable platform ability in his campaign. He conducted a "lonehand" campaign right through, without any 'committees or party backing. For an inexperienced and little-known candidate, he did remarkably well, and, should Mr Macdonuld enter the political arena in a future campaign, he will have to be reckoned with. It gives us pleasure in congratulating Mr Field on his re-election as member for the Otaki seat.

Otaki as a Seaside Resort. There is every prospect of Otaki ! coming into its own as a seaside reI sort in the near future. Largely ! through the enterprise and foresight of | Mr Byron Brown in his erection of the ! splendid quadrangle and kiosk at tin I seaside, Otaki has received a fine ad I vertiseiucnt: that will be sure to bear a i rich harvest before long. At the pre 1 sent time nearly One hundred visitor.' • are being accommodated at the Seaside Resort alone. Included among this ' number are many who are tanking tlieii second stay, so satisfied are they witl their first visit, and so far as wo eat gather every visitor goes away with : splendid impression of the place, am helps to popularise Otaki. The ad vent of a hundred visitors must mak< a great difference to tlie tout), fo; every visitor spends money'while here I and adds to the prosperity of the busi I ness people and the town generally | Undoubtedly wc have a big future I nhcad of us as a seaside resort, and i behoves the public to do their utmos' I to assist in this direction. We shoult I make the town and its environment! j cleaner and more attractive, provide better facilities, such as street lighting water supply, drainage, etc., ami, witl our beautiful beach, superb climate am many other natural-advantages. Otaki should soon be recognisetl as one of the most popular holiday resorts in the pro vince, if not of tho Dominion. 3' seems highly probable that a scheme for the erection of seaside cottage; will be entered into before long. The demand for accommodation, especial!} during the busy holiday time, Jias fa: exceeded what is offering, and tiie pro vision eif cottages should bring a grea many more! people here, and also prove a good investment. Citizens who have the welfare of the town and district a 1 heart should give these matters more careful consideration, for we believe the majority of our residents fail f< | recognise the value of (lie uatura assets wc enjoy, which are fully appro ciiitod by visitors, and should be turuet to the best advantage.