The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1918. MR. J. S. CONNETT'S CANDIDATURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1918. MR. J. S. CONNETT'S CANDIDATURE.

Now that Mr. John S. Comiett has' placed his political views before the electors of New Plymouth they should be able to judge which of the two candidates for the Taranaki seat has the greater claim for support at the poll. As a supporter of the National Government,, Which was formed for the purpose of concentrating the efforts of the Dominion on helping to win the war, Mr. Connett stands for all that winning the war means, and lie is pledged to further to the utmost the object which overshadows all others, and means so much to all parts of the Empire. It was not to be expected that lie Would put forward any matters of controversial politics, by reason of the fact that a truce thereon has been agreed upon by the two main parties in the House, and loyalty 1 dgmands rigid-adherence to.-the--

compact. Electors should understand clearly that in the House of Representatives the party truce will be kept, and that it will be a Waste of time and energy for any member to attempt to secure legislative .action on controversial matters. The question at the present uy-election is not whether the National Government is to he driven from office for its faults, or given ;in extension of life for its merits. Until the war is ended there is only one question which matters, and that is the unanimous co-op-eration of all sections of the community with the Government in forwarding a successful issue to the terrible struggle, and as far as possible in equalising the burdens that have to be borne. Both the candidates claim to have the Allies' success at heart, but whereas Mr. Connett would be assisting the Government as a matter of honor and duty, it is quite open to the Labor candidate to join forces with the extreme section of his party, and harass the Government. In a time of grave crisis it makes a very material difference whether Parliament is composed of safe, sound men or impregnated with freelances. Of the merits of the two candidates it is for the people to judge. There may be some difference of opinion on this point, rat on the principles for which stand there can be no two opinions. In dealing with local matters in the House and in committee work Mr. Connett may be relied upon to do excellent service. His tact, energy, initiative and sound common-sense have been proven by the success which lie achieved not only in matters connected with the Agricultural Society, but as chairman of the Taranaki County Couneil and a member of the Harbor Board. Mr. Smith has done good work in educational and other matters, so that the real question the electors would do well to consider is the. duty of supporting the Government that we frankly recognise is by no means free from fault, but which has to its credit successes in the really big things that matter. In normal times it would be competent to attack and perhaps displace the Government, but such a thing is impossible to-day, for where is there an alternative party? It is not on the horizon, and cannot be until after the war. Then it will be competent to consider new policies, and change the Government. These are abnormal times, and we have to make the best of the Government we have, )Ve have to make allowances for the unprecedented difficulties the country has passed, and is passing, through. On the one side we have a united force bent on concentrating their efforts upon New Zealand doing its share in this titanic struggle; on the other side we have a small, disgruntled section that has done nothing but abuse and restrict the others in canning out their trying work, and at the same time declining to accept any responsibility. Tile issue in this election is whether we are going to endorse the ac tion of the extremists or support those who are doing their best in the interests of New Zealand) and the Empire in a time of unparalleled stress and difficulty. When the. war is over men and' policies will count, and big changes will, no doubt, be seen. To-day there is only one policy for us to follow, and that is to give those who are at the head of New Zealand ungrudging and undivided support, as we will do by sending the National candidate to Parliament as the elect of Taranaki.