The Waikato Times SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1938 THE APPROACHING CAMPAIGN

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20510, 28 May 1938, Page 8

The Waikato Times SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1938 THE APPROACHING CAMPAIGN

i*k the selection of candidates in the South Auckland electorates practically complete, and already nearly 120 announced throughout the Dominion, local interest in the coming general election uill grow rapidly. It has not been customary to have such activity in political circles prior to the commencement of the third session, ut on this occasion Ministers of the Crown, and prominent members of the Opposition, have conducted extensive political tours throughout the country, and it is understood that the Prime Minister, prior to the opening of Parliament, will visit a number of electorates. The work of organising is being carried on enthusiastically, and there is every reason to expect that the number of votes recorded, when election day will constitute a record for the Dominion. The aggregate in 1935 when 834,682 voters went to the poll was the largest to that time, and by a very wide margin, for in 1931 the total was only 698,027 and in 1928 it was 743,691, but the drop in 1931 was to some extent accounted for bv the fact that there was no contest in four electorates.

Three years ago over 92 per cent, of the enrolled adult male population, and over 89 per cent, of the women, recorded their votes, the full percentage of electors on the roll who voted being 90.75. That is clear evidence of the interest displayed, and it is doubtful whether any British country, even those where voting is compulsory, could show a better record. This year the number of electors will be larger, and that fact, in conjunction with the more extensive organising work, should be sufficient to warrant a prediction that new records will be established. A great deal will depend upon weather conditions for a stormy day invariably reduces the total of the votes polled. The duty of enrolling should not be left until the last moment, and some people appear to have forgotten the fact that, by an amendment of the law fourteen years ago, a system of compulsory registration of electors was introduced.

The party activity and widespread interest have caused people to anticipate a very hard-fought campaign, and many do not hesitate to say that it will be very bitter. It is, however, a little surprising to find members of the Cabinet expressing this opinion. The Minister of Labour, Mr H. T. Armstrong, is a veteran in the political arena, and knows full well what effect statements of this character have on public opinion. They are not calculated to calm matters in any way. Speaking at a social function of his party in Christchurch last week, Mr Armstrong said that the Government “could be easily knocked down by the misrepresentation, slander and forgery of its opponents.” Statements of that kind can serve no useful purpose, even when made among political friends. They put altogether too low a value on the standards of the public life of the community. It should be possible to fight hard without imputing foul play to one’s opponents. Mr Armstrong resented, and rightly, an interjection at a meeting in the suburbs of Wellington that reflected on his veracity. It should not have been made, but neither should the charge which he himself made against his opponents. Pointed criticism may, and probably will, be heard, and the Minister of Labour, as a member of the Cabinet and sharing its collective responsibility, may come within the range of fire, but fortunately slander and forgery have never marked political controversy here, and there is no reason why they ever should. In a country where all adults are entitled to exercise a vote the appeal should be to reason, and the things mentioned by the Minister could never take the place of logical argument as a weapon m- a political fight. The best course for all sections to pursue is to determine that the campaign shall be conducted decently and in good order, each section of the community giving the others credit for honesty and public spirit. Grave charges can serve no useful purpose —unless accompanied by the most convincing evidence —but they do create irritation, if not anger, and make it the more difficult for the campaign to be conducted in a manner that would reflect credit cn the nation.