THE ELECTION ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1918, Page 6

THE ELECTION ISSUE

In another column Mr. Holland, M.P., quotes with great satisfaction the statements of a Southern paper that "the cause of Prussiariism will not,be enhanced in the slightest if Mr. Hildreth is defeated," aad that "it is taking an absurdly extreme view to suggest that if Mr.; Fraser tops.the poll'the,En-.' tente world will stand aghast at ,our patriotic .backsliding." The second of these statements we are v not concerned to dispute. There will be no panic in London or Paris or Washington if a candidate who glories in the title of "Bolshevik" is elected for Wellington. Central. Nor -would there have been such a panic if New Zealand had stood out of the war and played the poltroon and the coward while others fought for the preservation of her liberties. But the manhood of New Zealand declined to contemplate such a disgrace as possible or even thinkable, and; it is beyond question that her action then and during the last, four years has contributed to the glory and the safety of the Empire, and has helped to hearten up its friends and discourage its enemies, and to make not only New Zealand but the whole world : safe for democracy. To the democratic.Mr.HHo- t land, it appears, all that New Zealand has done and! all that the Empire has done during those four years for "democracy against despotism'; is a disasxtrous blunder.' He is therefor* logical in missing no, chance of getting New Zealand to leverse her decision and pull out of the war, and extend to his consistency an admiration which we cannot pretend to feel for those who applauded New Zealand's entry into the war, would like to (See her stay there, but atgne as though it were immaterial whether an anti-war and Bolshevik candidate is returned for a New Zealand constituency. It may be conceded that nothing that the Wellington Central electors can do would snffice to win or lose the war, but it does not follow that their attitude should not be governed by precisely'the same considerations as though the whole issue jested with them. The desertion ( of.a single man would not turn victory! into defeat, but his impotencein that respect does not alter the.character of his action or blur the distinction between cowardice and courage, between (honour and dishonour, between right and wrong. The choice is in ess; -ace one between Anzac and Bolshevik, and there is no middle course. Those who approve of New Zealand's entry into the war,. and; wish to keep her there, must vote for Mr. Hildreth. ■: : '.''"' '■/ " ■•'-••■<■■ V-