The Evening Star. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1922. THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Evening Star, Issue 18136, 28 November 1922, Page 4

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1922. THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Nomixatioxs for the House of Representatives show that in thirty-seven contests more than two candidates are standing. That is to say, for about half the seats the present first-past-the-post electoral system will not be open to criticism, while for the remaining half it will. The system is not perfect, and the Government which promised to make it more scientific on New Zealand’s reversion to it through the repeal of the briefly-tried Second Ballot remains under the stigma of a long unfulfilled pledge. Yet ho would be a bold roan who would say that there would be great variation of the results to be arrived at under the primitive system next week if Proportional Representation, Preferential Voting, or any other of the more up-to-date systems were in vogue here. It is a matter of pure speculation. Relatively few clianges were effected on original positions by the Second Ballot; those that were made seemed to cause more resentment than satisfaction; the intervening suspense was annoying, and l certain other features were so objectionable that not many people regretted l tho disappearance of the system. As to whether the electors would relish Proportional Representation in its stead we are dubious. Bo far it seems to be one of those theoretical propositions, attractive on paper, but the reverse in practice. It is not easily applicable to New Zealand, .with its large country population. Tie people as a whole, moreover, like to know definitely, on polling day if possible, and within the next day or so at latest, who their chosen representatives are. If our electoral officers are up to the average of past years, and provided there are no such exceptionally close contests as that between Messrs Sidey and Paul at Dunedin South in 1919, this natural desire should) be gratified next week.

The nominations suggest that Reform, is the best organised l -of tho three recognised parties. In very few electorates has it failed to put up a candidate; in very few docs it run the risk of a split-vote defeat through two of the Reform color insisting on going to the poll for the same seat. In Parnell Mr Wren, challenges Mr Dickson's right to carry tho Reform banner; in Roskill Miss MelvlUo takes tho same attitude to Mr Potter; in Waikato Messrs Johnson and Dent 'both aspire to the big Reform vote which returned. Mr Young in 1919: at Napier Mr Mason seeks the suffrages of Reformers in preference to a ’verted Liberal veteran in the person of Mr Vigor Brown. Much the same thing is happening at Otaki between Messrs Harkncss and Field, tho last named having sat in many Parliaments as a Liberal; while at Wellington- -East and Patea tho Reform vote is likely to bo split. In tho South Island, Westland provides the solitary instance of this kind of tiling, but whether or not it will work out to the advantage of the sitting member, Mr Tom Seddon, remains to bo soon. Otherwise there is hardly the same anxiety to stand in the Reform interest in the South Island as in the North; but Mr Massey has induced candidates to stand for practically all tho seats, with tho exception of Dunedin Central and Dunedin South, though for some of tho Christchurch seats his nominees are regarded as having only a , Very outside chance.

■ As to the personal aspect, the motto “ Place aux Dames ” must bo observed 1 . There are three lady candidates —Miss Melville for Roskill, Mrs M‘Vicar for Wellington East, andl Mil's Herbert for Avon. Whether any of these will follow the pioneering example of Lady As tor in the House of Commons is very doubtful.' There are several ex-members, unseated at a previous election, unwilling to accept the verdict as final or unable to resist tho lure of tho political game. These include the inimitable Albert Ernest Glover, of Auckland ; Mr Pearce, of Patca; Mr Buddo, of Kaiapoi; Mr Ell, of Christchurch South; Mr O. W. Russell, of Avon; Mr J. A. Macphorson, now standing for Oamaru; and Mr J. C. Thomson, of Wallace. With tho exception of Mr Macphorson, volubility —in some cases mere drab verbosity—appeared to bo the chief political asset of this try-again brigade. Mr Macpherson’s previous electorate was absorbed' in others, and that is chiefly why he was “ squeezed out of Parliament.” The same fat© must overtake either Mr Malcolm or Mr Edio, both members of the last Parliament, and 1 both standing for Clutlia, the latter because the Boundary Commissioners have eliminated his former Bruce seat. This promises to bo tho most interesting of the country contests in Otago, though probably Dunedin’s interest will centro nearer homo on tho effort of Mr Clark to displace Mr Munro at Dunedin North, and in the intrusion of Mr Muslin at Dunedin Central adding to the anxiety of the Statliam party, andi possibly even to its discomfiture, if tho unfortunate intrusion of the Prohibition issue into the purely political arena is going to have tho effect which some people prophesy. On the whole, Labor - candidates, perhaps luckily, perhaps astutely, seem to have kept out of the -wash of such complications. Separation of the issues was intended, and is theoretically possible, but it d’oos not always happen. Doubtless the Prohibitionists hope that after this election it will happen—for the simple reason that there will bo only the one paper handed to the elector in tho booth from 1522 onwards. That all depend.?. First of all, Prohibition has to he carried. Should it be carried, the law as it stands at present would forbid another referendum. However, these things rest on the lap of the gods. Meanwhile, it is unquestionable that for the vast bulk of tho electors the liquor issue next Thursday week will quite dwarf the political issue.