The Dominion. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1919. AIM AT RESULTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 70, 16 December 1919, Page 8

The Dominion. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1919. AIM AT RESULTS

The best advice which can be given to electors on the eve of an election which means so much to this country is simply to aim at results. No man or woman can really do this without giving somo thought, at least, not only to the issues raised in the election, but to the way in which-they are best to be influenced by the casting of votes. It is not aiming at results to vote blindly at the bidding of party feeling or prejudice. Neither.is it aiming at results to vote hccalcssly, on some light or wavering impulse and with a feeling that this is a time of change in which the precise destination ot a vote does not greatly matter. Voting on such lines amounts to throwing votes away. Unfortunately the danger that many people may throw their votes away is by no means absent in this election. Even at a time when the importance of the issues at stake must be obvious to all thoughtful people inertia and indifference cannot, be wholly eliminated, and such things in their measure, can only hinder the democracy in aiming at and' achieving results. The same evil consequence attends the efforts, in so far as they are' successful, of self-seek-ing politicians who have done, and are elding, their utmost to divert the thoughts of tho people from national to party aims. Urgently as it is being made, the appeal to party sentiment and prejudice was perhaps never weaker or less effective than it is to-day. At all events for those who have eyes to sec, the issues of the election in this respect are crystal clear. Any thoughtful man or woman is bound to perceive that Sin Joseph Ward and those with him who arc attempting to split the democracy for party ends are giving a lead it would be folly to follow. It is the whole truth about these politician's that they are too.jselfish or too small, lo adapt themselves loyally and with intelligence to new conditions of public service. In their littleness they are doing their utmost to deny the people •of New Zealand the priceless advantages of jpolitical and national unity.

The, point all electors ought to earnestly consider is that .it'.is; rioi more necessary in voting to reject' what is plainly unworthy than to concentrate support where, it will toll with the utmost effect, and getthe results that are wanted. If the bulk of the people intelligently' aim at such results there will be no need to fear the outcome. Without, doubt there is a strong popular, sentiment in favour of the political developments that are needed in order that the country and its people may prosper. It is widely, felt that the 'division of the main parties on pre-: war lines—the lines _ the Wardists are labouring to revive—is a reproach to common sense, and is flatly opposed to public welfare. It is as widely, recognised that the worst thing that could happen in this election is such a weakening of the forces of sound . progress as would enable the. Wardists to scramble into power by grace of the Labour-Socialist extremists, who avoWcdly aim at using them for their own ends. In considering how best to avert this evil condition of things there is no room for halfmeasures. The only rational course for electors who really aim at rc'sults is to support the one party that 'has declared boldly and without reservation for national and political unity—that is to say foi those who constitute the Reform Party. To do this is not to _ repudiate the worthy aim of abolishing the evils of party polities. On the contrary, it is taking the only route that offers to the practical realisation of that aim. The only sure wav of voting against the. evils of parly politics is to vote for the party 'which is striving to eliminate the evils of party politics. For thosp who aim at results in their voting the case is complete in all respects. Alike in averting the dangers of a combination between the Wardists and the Labour Socialists and in moving boldly to renovate the political life of the Dominion, an organised and powerful effort is called for. The Reform Party alone has proved itself capable of such an effort. For those who pirn at results, therefore, Hie position "'<■• .mast plainly defined. To vote f>> - ii". other candidate where a Keioi.m candidate is available is to vote against the only force which is capable of breaking away from petty.party ambitions, and'giving free scope and play to enlightened ideas of progress in our national politics.