DAVID JONES: THE MAN.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 3271, 13 November 1928, Page 6

DAVID JONES: THE MAN.

Rightly or wrongly, election contests are won or lost not always on considerations of "Party or on merits of policy; the calibre and personality of the candidate are other potent elements that determine the casting of votes. That this should be -so is but natural, if not justifiable in principle. Electors are prone to regard their member firstly as a man and secondly as a Party fo*llower. It is men and not Parties that appear on the ballot papers. When the electors of Ellesmere returned Mr David Jones three years ago, they not only renewed their faith in the Reform Party, but they also expressed confidence in a. man whom they judged would represent them worthily. Now that another election is at hand, JMr Jones is again before them to account for his stewardship, and he is facing them without apprehensions and without apologies. During his first three years as member for , Ellesmere, Mr Jones has devoted his time, energies and experience to the service of every section of Ms wide electorate. A native of the Province and a farmer himself, his connexion with agricultural interests has bred in him a knowledge of the needs of producers that is uneclipsed by any other member of the last Parliament. At sacrifice to himself, he has be--1 come conversant with the activities of the people, and those who have had occasion to seek his assistance in securing any favour from the Government know that he has pushed their claims untiringly, and in most cases successfully. No organisation or jndivi-

■■..-':>r dual who has asked his aid has been neglected. To pick one direction, out of many in which his influence has been fruitful, one has only to count the number of schools in the electorate which have been rebuilt or remodelled. Local bodies have on innumerable occasions had recourse to him, and his endeavours on their behalf have seldom been in vain. On, public occasions, Mr Jones has willingly been among his constituents, displaying a sympathetic interest in their affairs. . Fair-minded, well informed and fluent in speech^ he has been a respected member within the House and within the ranks' of his own Party. Firm facts rather than fine phrases or clever nonsense have been his -weapons in debate. His actions have been based on patriotic convictions and considerations of national welfare rather than on vote-catching motives. In short, Mr Jones has an undoubted aptitude for political service, and possesses the executive qualities that should recommend him to Ministerial appointment. It will not be surprising to see him elevated to Cabinet at an early stage in his career^ From the personal standpoint, then, every elector should acknowledge that Mr Jones's fine record of service has justified the confidence placed in him at the 1925 election. He cannot be substituted by an untried man without loss to the electors and detraction from the prestige of the seat. No better way of indicating appreciation could be shown than by returning^ him to Parliament with a secure majority of votes.