The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1925. THE CITY SEATS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 259, 2 November 1925, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1925. THE CITY SEATS.

For the cause ihat lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And ihe good that tee csin do.

Sometimes we see a performance of a Shakespeare play advertised in 4 his fashion. "Mr. X (large type) presents Mr. V (a little smaller, but still large) in 'Hamlet' (small), by William Shakespeare" (quite small). If by a wild stretch of imagination we may compare the Reform party with Shakcr.peare, we detect some resemblance between this and the way in which Reform and its policy (if it has one) is being kept in the background, and Mr. Coates is being advertised as the pivot of the election. Auckland electorates have been deluged with gaily-coloured advertisements, in which, under the folds of the flag—would it not be better if all parties agreed to keep the flag out of such controversial matters?—voters are adjured to vote for Mr. Coates, with Reform as a side-line. It is all very flattering to the Prime Minister, and we hope that if he is destined to continue to lead the politics of the country he will deserve this praise. Policy, however, also counts for something, and the Reform party needs something to justify its existence besides the undoubtedly good record and attractive personality of the Prime Minister. He speaks in Auckland to-day, and no doubt he will give electors something to think about besides himself.

The Prime Minister's visit Is intended to give an impetus to the Reform cause on the eve of the poll in the constituencies of the city and Greater Auckland. The Reform party has the advantage over its old Liberal opponents in the number of its candidates, but there is no need for Liberals to despair. They can win some seats if they concentrate their forces. Their flag is carried in Auckland Central by Mr. Morton, in Auckland East by Mr. Oakley Browne, in Roskill by Mr. Hall Skelton, and in Waitemata by Mr. Lamont. In Auckland Central Mr. Morton has made a good effort to regain an old Liberal seat. In Auckland East Mr. Browne, who, without being a member of Parliament, has had a good deal of experience of politics, has proved himself an excellent candidate—a good speaker, an effective critic, and a man of ideas. His Reform opponent, on the other hand, seems to have no political ideas, but his candidature may attract sufficient votes to give the seat to Labour, a result which Reform professes to abhor. In Roskill Mr. Hall Skelton has gained ground by his incisive criticism of Reform and his exposition of Liberal principles. He has the political mind, which cannot be said for the

Reform candidate, whose chief stock-in-trade is abuse of Labour. The presence of a Labour candidate complicates matters, and those who are disposed to vote for Mr. Yarnall should ask themselves whether it is worth while supporting a candidate who has no chance when they have in Mr. Skelton one who has strong; sympathy for Labour, besides being in intellectual ability and knowledge of politics by far the best man of the three. Tn Waitemata Liberalism and Labour combined could defeat the busy but mediocre Mr. Harris. Last time the Liberal and Labour candidates together polled 5362 votes against Mr. Harris' 4586, and with his experience and standing in local government Mr. Lainont should have better prospects than the Liberal candidate three years ago. Here also a vote for Labour will be a vote for Reform.

In Parnell the Government candidate is going to the poll in the shadow of a cruel bereavement, and however one may regard his politics and Parliamentary record, he will have the sympathy of all sections of the community. In Auckland West a Reformer has made a plucky fight against one of the most popular and capable of the Labour members, who has in tbe past received the support of many Liberals. Mr. Savage has proved himself one of (he ablest of Labour's representatives in Parliament and a man ot" wide humanitarian views. In Eden the electors have to make choice between a Minister who has done a groat deal for education, and whose services will continue to be needed if Mr. Coates carries on after the election—the Cabinet has several weaklings, and the loss of Sir James Parr would be a serious matter to the Prime Minister; they have to choose between Sir James and a Labour candidate who would give to the party in Parliament some of tlie education and moderation that it needs. No one supposes that the Labour party is notgoing to continue to be a growing power in politics, and it is therefore desirable that it should include some professional men like Mr. Mason. Three years ago we advised the electors of Manukau to vote for Mr. Jordan and wo have not repented. Despite Mr. Jordan's closer connection with the Labour party in tlie interval, we still regard him as being at least as much Liberal as Labour. He has been a useful member. We therefore offer the same advice again. Finally, we would put iii a word for Miss Melville, despite the fact that she is a Reformer, because she is a woman. It is time women were represented by one of themselves; at present laws affecting women are made by a Parliament composed entirely of men. Other parts of the Empire have elected women to Parliament, and the reproach against New Zealand that it has not done so should be removed.