WELFARE LEAGUE'S PART

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 146, 18 December 1919, Page 6

WELFARE LEAGUE'S PART

INTERVIEW WITH MR. SKERRETT, K.C.

Mr. 0. P. Skerrett, K.C., President of the Welfare League, was interviewed by a Post representative as to his views on the, results of the election.

He" stated that the • league's general aim was to work in the direction, of securing a strong stable Government which would be abk to control the House and carry out the necessary reconstructive legislation- against all opposition. "The danger which threatened the country," said Mr. Skerrett, "was that a small group of revolutionary' Socialists might hold the balance of power in th& new Parliament, and the league ■ has consistently worked to -prevent this. It has been somewhat difficult, owing td the strong-, party feelings which have ■ been revived amongst politicians, but the league as representing the big middleclass, was aware that the average elector was not a strong party man, but was determined to put his weight on the side of law and order regardless of old party lines. This has been the league's consistent policy, and it has helped candidates outside the.revolutionary Socialists by the preparation of propaganda, which has been used by all, whether Reform, Liberal, Independent, or Independent Labour."

"I think," said Mr Skerrett, "that there is no question that those in favour of sane, stable, and pi-ogressive Government are in a big majority, but being unorganised, they run the risk of domination by a well-organised minority of revolutionary- socialists." That this fear ■was not jrrrmndless is evident by a comparison of the returns. "For instance," s<\id Mr. Skerrett, "take the cases of the Dmiedin City seats, as against those in Auckland Central and West, Grey Lynn, and Lyttelton. In the latter four seats there were--three.or more candidates in each case, and the division of Moderate votes clearly gave the revolutionary candidates a- minority victory. • This is spe-, cially shown in the case of Lytteltou, where Mr. M'Combs was returned on a vote of 2939, against tho 4276 votes which were necessary tG return .him at the last poll.

"During the campaign the League sought to rouse the electors to a sense of their duty in the matter of going to the Poll, and undoubtedly largely succeeded. It is notable that in the case of all the City seats and the Hutt, more votes were cast yesterday than in the election of 1914, with the exception of "Wellington Central, where the votes cast were 613 fewer than in 1914.

"There can be little doubt that the result of this election is a set-back to the revolutionary forces. The party standing under the Red Banner had organised very completely for the campaign. It had' some fifty candidates in the field and had formed branches in nearly all electorates, and has secured only eight or possibly nine seats. In Wellington Central, South, and East it shows a lower numerical vote than constitutional Labour secured in 1914."

Taking the result of the elections as a whole, Mr. Skerrett says the league is well/pleased with the success its efforts have had in many electorates, and generally the executive* feels that a strong. Government and able Opposition, both composed of patriotic and loyal members, 'will now be able to settle down to solve the many problems ahead in the1 best-interests of-the whole community. The 'election also shows ■ that the'heart of the'country is sound, and supports, constitutional reconstruction by an overwhelming, majority of votes, whether cast for Reform, Liberal, or Independent Labour.

■ "During the campaign the League was subjected to much misrepresentation which ifc could afford to smile at., as its policy has been steadily growing in fa-vour. It is not disposed to say farewell to the public ; but will continue to carry out the objects for which it was established."

Mr. Skerrett said, in conclusion, that he could not help regretting that the services of some notabij i,bls men on both sides of the House had been lost to the country for the time being, but this was one of the Inherent weaknesses of party Government. »