MR. SMITH AND THE “REDS.”

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1922, Page 4

MR. SMITH AND THE “REDS.”

The member for Taranaki is being taken to task regarding his attitude towards the “Reds” in the case of a noconfidence motion or in the event of the “Reds” holding the balance of power in the next Parliament. We must say that Mr. Smith has been perfectly explicit on the point. He has repeatedly said that he will not vote with the “Reds” on a no-confidence motion, and that if the “Reds” hold the balance of power he will go back to his electorate. There could be nothing plainer than this declaration, and electors should have no hesitation in accepting it. To our mind he has taken up a very proper attitude in this cohnection, and one which should commend itself to all moderate voters. For the Labor extremists to be in a position to dictate the policy of the country would be a calamity, and any candidate favoring such a course should receive short shrift at the hands of the electors. With some of the measures .advocated by Mr. Smith we are in entire disagreement, believing that if put into force the country would be seriously injured, but a sense of fair play impels us to say that Mr. Smith has made his position in regard to the “Reds’ - quite plain, and that his explanation can be accepted without reservation or apprehension.