COMING BY-ELECTIONS

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 71, 24 March 1920, Page 4

COMING BY-ELECTIONS

Tho resignation of Sir James Allen from the Bruco seat and the decision of the Election Court in the Stratford case make' it necessary for two by-elections to be held rtiortly. No doubt there are many persons in Bruce, and indeed throughout the Dominion, who will regret the necessity for the by-election in this case, especially as it means the loss of Sir James Allen from the New Zealand Parliament. Probably in Stratford also there are people, not strong partisans, -who would rather that tho fight had not to ba fought over again; but they will ■ recognise the force of the .Court's decision. There is no power bo condono an illegal practice, and possibly it ia well that the law should allow r.o latitude in this direction, otherwise candidates and- their committees might be tempted to exercise their own judgment as to what would be regarded as a breach. In this case the Judges have made it clear that the breach of the lav,- was unwitting and not of a serious character. They have pointed the distinction between illegal and corrupt practices, and wholly acquitted Mr. Masters of the latter. Without expressing an opinion as to the fitness.of Mr. Masters to represent the Stratford electors, we. are pleased to note this pronouncement, for . New Zealand politics in the past have been singularly free frotm ths suggestion of corruption. That no disqualification was imposed upon Mr. Mdstera, and that the Court ordered a division of the costs, may be regarded ag showing that the Court considered M.v. Masters acted innocently (as indeed it stated), but that the petitioners ware justified in-calling for an inquiry.

It is understood that both Mr. Masters and Mr. H-ino will a-gaiii be •candidates for Stratford. Both elections are bound to arouse considerable interest. In Stratford the result will be enlightening, as showing to somo extent the popular verdict upon the petition; while,in both electorates the voting may indicate whether events since the general election and tho temporary retirement of Sir Joseph Ward from the leadership of the Liberals have had any marked effect upon public opinion. Both contests were decided by the narrowest margins at the general election —in the case of Stratford Mr. Masters had a majority of 67, and in Bruce Sir James Allen's lead was 12(j—so that only small factors may have the effect of reversing the results of 1919.