The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1928 . THE KEENEST FIGHT OF ALL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 510, 13 November 1928, Page 12

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1928 . THE KEENEST FIGHT OF ALL

EVERY political candidate in the Dominion doubtless believes that bis own contest is by far the most important and hardest in the whole parliamentary election campaign. It is right that such belief should he held by each contestant, for without it his fight for place would be without zest and futile. From a public point of view, however, only a comparatively few of the seventy-six contests command national attention, while not more than one or two of the pitched battles arouse a thrill of excitement. , There is no extravagance in saying that the clean, splendid contest for the Auckland Suburbs seat is the keenest fight of all, It is three-cornered in the numerical sense, but the real battle plainly, practically and properly is confined to between Reform and Labour, between Sir .Tames Gunson, as challenger, and Mr. 11. G. R. Mason, who was holder of the district seat for the greater part of the latest Parliameqt. The United Party candidate, who will he counted out very decisively, may console himself with the remarkable fact that his party, as declared at Dunedin by its leader, and the Labour Party are allies against the Government and, as snob, will stand or fall together like brothers on a vote of no-confidence. In sporting phrase, the tussle for Auckland Suburbs is thus a significant, if perhaps not altogether the supreme, political test match. Thx’oughout the campaign in the electorate which, under a different name, formerly was a staunch Reform stronghold for many years (it was stupidly lost as a gift to Labour at a by-election), the principal contestants have* fought an honourable fight, entirely without had temper and with a becoming dignity. Neither has resorted to foul hitting. The rigour of the game has been wholesome, and both have kept clear of the too common indulgence in vulgar personalities and silly talk about serious politics. Thus the plain man and the knight have been equally gentlemen in political warfare. The issue rests on a test of political ability. On this vital test unbiased observers must choose Sir James Gunson as the better man, and a great way ahead of his formidable rival. Mr. Mason, it is true, has had a brief period of practical experience as a member of Parliament and, beyond question, has rendered conscientious though not outstanding service.. As a faithful member of the Labour Opposition he opposed the Government to the best of his ability and attended closely to providing political loaves and fishes for his district. Against that inconspicuous record in the House of' Representatives, the electorate must give serious heed to the notable fact that for ten years without a break Sir James Gunson was chief administrator of Auckland, was head of a system of local government which is next to the State in range and importance of activities and public service. Moreover, he was by far the ablest and most enterprising municipal administrator Greater Auckland or the whole Dominion, indeed, has ever known. Even the electorate whose suffrage he seeks bears concrete evidence of his progi'essivc and resourceful administration. In every way the Reform candidate represents and personifies exactly the type of politician our lamentably mediocre Parliament needs. The whole country calls on him and his like to take a firm hand in its politics and progress. Given an experience of Parliamentary work, Sir James Gunson would move quickly into the higher ranks of responsible administrators. His election to-morrow therefore would be not only a wise tiling for Auckland Suburbs, but a good thing for his province and the Dominion. The issue of the keenest fight may safely be' left to the decision of alert electors. Elsewhere and everywhere the duty of the people is to vote early and conscientiously for the candidates and their policy which give the greatest guarantee of financial security with steady national development.