THE GOVERNMENT CANDIDATE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1922, Page 4

THE GOVERNMENT CANDIDATE.

The speech delivered on Thursday evening by the Government candidate for the Taranaki seat did not cover the whole political ground, Mr. Bellringer -contenting himself with outlining the main principles to which he was prepared to give allegiance, and the measures he considered necessary for the development of the country’s resources and the amelioration of the condition's of the people. The candidate handled, his subjects with a good deal of ability and manifest sincerity. It will readily be conceded that he is imbued with sound and -progressive ideas, and his standing in the interests of a Party he had consistently opposed in the past is symptomatic of the change in political feeling that has come about during the past few years. Had anyone prophesied ten years ago that ardent supporters of the enlightened policy that has made for the progress and contentment of the country would to-day be espousing the cause of the forces then arrayed against the Liberals, the prediction would not have been taken seriously. Conditions, however, have greatly changed. The war brought home the fact, as nothing else could have done, that the interests of the -country were of greater moment than the interests of any party, and if New Zealand, after the economic and financial upheaval and dislocation caused ’by the war, was to be placed again on an even keel, her public men and leaders of thought of whatever kind, should pull together and give the country of their best. The war also showed that even in this free and fortunate country there were forces at work inimical to its interests and welfare. These facts had not a little to do with the political position that has arisen, wherein the whilom Liberal elements have become disintegrated and the Government forces strengthened. Extreme Labor has increased its power, and in the cities is gaining ground, leading to the belief that in the near future there will be but two political parties here as there are in Australia—the Liberal or progressive forces, and Labor, more or less revolutionary and reactionary. The rise of Labor as a political entity would not be unwelcome were it guided by moderate and patriotic men. Good government can only come when there is a strong Opposition, ready and able to challenge the party in power, providing an alterative government. But the Labor party, as at present constituted, is avowedly revolutionary, and therefore must be fought by all men who believe in constitutional methods and have a love oi their country. Mr. Bellringer, of course, is against extreme Labor, but, as one who has risen from the ranks, he has sympathy with Labor’s legitimate aspirations, believing, as most employers do, that the true advancement of the country can only be attained by labor sharing adequately in the fruits of industry. He supported immigration for the good and sufficient reason that if New Zealand is not peopled by our own kith and kin we will in the years to come be peopled by others less desirable. He expressed himself against proportional representation, which no one who has studied its working in Australia could support; he favored keeping education ever in the forefront, improving and extending it where possible; he believed in the Government’s land policy, and thought the returned soldiers had been fairly dealt with; he wished to see national expenditure and taxation cut down; he defended the Government’s policy of concentration on public works, which he would have energetically pushed on with, at the same time questioning the judgment of the Minister in giving precedence over the Stratford main line to others of less importance. Altogether it was a speech with which the moderate-minded can find little fault. It had a sincere and patriotic ring, as indeed could have been expected from a man who has so faithfully and ably served the district in the past . in so many ways.

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