WELLINGTON TOPICS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3342, 21 November 1919, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES. (Special Correspondent.) - WELLINGTON, Nov. 20. Never before have so many “Independent” candidates appeared 011 The hustings as are appearing‘ in the PW‘ sent election‘ campaign. There are Independent Reformers, Independent Liberals,‘ Independent Labourites. Whether their multitude is due to a revolt.“ against th£T‘narrowing ties of party, or to a desire to stand as well as may be with all the conflicting elements it is hard to say. Perhaps both these factors have had something to do with a development of '3. state of aifairs that is proving very embarrassing to the party leaders. But whatever the cause, it is certain the_presence of an army of Independents in the field is going to materially 'afi’eet the result of the approaching election. Independent is a sweet-sounding phrase that tickles the ears of people unacquainted with the game of politics, and in the present contestit will contribute largely to the vote splitting that is menacing both the older parties, ‘to the substantial advantage, of course, of the Labour Party. MENTAL RESERVATIONISTS.

-In addition to the frankly avowed independence of a considerable number of candidates, there is ‘the mental reservation of other candidates which will enable them to cross the floor of the Houseshould such a course appear necessary to save the country from the expense and unrest of another appeal to theelectors. At least one candidate for 2 rural constituency in Wellington province has announced this as his intention,‘ and hisfriendg appear to be taking no exception to his light regard for his party obligations. There are, ‘indeed, many other candidates who have expressed themselves -to much the same eifect in demanding that inthc event of the two ‘older ‘parties “being closely balanced at the polls, the: occupancy of the Treasury Benches shall not be left to the determination of ‘a little group of extremists. There "must be a. strong Government fromone side or theother, they insist.,"and minor party diiferences must not stop the way. " ‘ T - PARTY. _ Meal_lwhile_th‘e party spirit, so far as the great rfrass of the electors are concerned, is much less pronoucned than it was in the days before the war. Some of the active pla.rticipants in the fight and most of the party newspapers are doing their best to revive the old had methods, but outside the Official" Labour Party, -they are achieving little success. The Social Democrats, incongruous as it -may seem side by side" with their demands for fair play, freedom of speech, and the‘ rest, seem to :think it good tactics to harrass Reform and «Liberal candidates, especially Liberal candidates, «in every way they can, and already have managed to prevent several of their opponents getting a hearing. Their object appears to be to drive the two older parties into some sort of coalition, but they, and other people, who have been dreaming‘ of a development of this kind, may as Well dismiss -their fond delusions at once. The Reformers and the Liberals, bylthe deliberate choice of their leaders, are now as far apart as they ever have been. THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

If the Ea.rlianLent.ary_ contest is{ arousing little general interest, the} liquor poll is arousing less. The agents of the conflicting parties are busy in~ searching the roll{s and distributingl literature, but the public, for all the; enthusiasm it is displaying about the“; issue, might be utterly indifferent to} the result. Notwithstanding this ap-; parent apathy among the people who} are to decide the question, however“: bothparties profess to be confident of! the iresutt ‘i-coming their “vwayx The} Prohibitionists count‘ upon polling at largely increased soldiers’ vote, and? the moderates upon the electors ac-1 ceping the recent referendum as the} last word on the subject. As far ast may be judged fl'om the attitude oft the man in the street this is a fairly? accurate diagnosis of the position. He‘ does not wish to be worried about: the matter again. V ‘