“THE SAFE COURSE”

Evening Star, Issue 18253, 18 April 1923, Page 4

“THE SAFE COURSE”

AUSTRALIAN TRIBUTE TO MR. MASSEY.

Commenting upon the Tauranga hy-elcc-tion, the Melbourne ‘Argus’ on April 3 said:

“After the last General Election in New Zealand Mr Massey, leader of the Reform Party, was left—by a variety of circumstances, and the fact that tho political pendulum had begun to swing—with a. majority that barely exceeded tho combined strength of his opponents. Upon the death of the member for Tauranga that majority was reduced to one. Sir Joseph Ward eagerly seized upon an opportunity to re-enter Parliament and take tho reins of office from Mr Massey’s precarious hold. His decision caused alarm. Though a former Prime Minister, his recent political career had caused him to lose a great deal of the confidence once reposed in him. Bat that ho was still a formidable fee to bo reckoned with was never doubted. Mr Massey and his Ministers toured the electorate, and the contest resolved itself into one between _ the safe and sound policy with which the Ministry is identified and a policy of recklessness propounded by Sir Joseph Ward, and strikingly reminiscent of tho disastrous ‘boom' with which he was associated many years ago. It was obviously a policy put forward to catch votes. But the shrewd _ common sense of the electors prevailed. Sir Joseph Ward was defeated by more than 1,000 votes in a total poll of little more than 7,000. This message from Tauranga should strengthen tho position of Mr Massey and hearten him in his efforts to keep to the safe course that he has chosen.”