Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, AUGUST 10th., 1933. LYTTELTON TEST.

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1933, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, AUGUST 10th., 1933. LYTTELTON TEST.

pURING by-election campaigns, the electors are usually told that the eyes of the nation are upon them, when as a matter of fact in some instances the outside concern is scarcely noticeable. Where the forthcoming Lyttelton contest is concerned, however, there is a great deal of public interest, the circumstances providing a real test of present-day opinion on the respective merits of Coalition and Labour. The constituency is distinctly mixed, containing the industrial areas of Lyttelton and Woolston, residential neighbourhoods of Cashmere and Sumner, rural parts like the Peninsular bays, with the distant Chatham Islands thrown in. All sections of the community are thus represented, and it would be a bold prophet who was confident about the result. The candidates, too, are wellchosen. Having been the first, to suggest that Mrs. McCombs, widow of the former Member, was the most fitting Labour standardbearer, we must welcome that Party’s official choice of her. As can be easily understood, Mrs. Me-; Combs is unlikely to take a pro- 1 minent personal part in the vigorous campaign, but she is, none the

I less, as good a candidate for Labour, as could have been chosen. Iler experience on Christchurch local bodies and her work for the Labour Movement, generally, will inspire confidence in her suitability for the position as Member of Parliament, in addition to which she is expected to attract a considerable “sympathy” vote. The honour of sending the first womanMember to the House, may also appeal to some non-party electors. Her chief opponent, Mr. F. W. Freeman, the Coalition candidate, is qualified for his task. Christchurch born and bred, he has had considerable local body experience, is prominent in motoring circles, and fought for the constituency in the 1931 general elections, being defeated. Air. E. L. Hills is standing as an Independent Labour, but, his breakaway from Party discipline is not expected to be well-supported, although, he may take enough votes from the official Labourite, to decide the result. Rumours of other aspirants are about, but their chances of success need not be now

discussed. The campaign is expected to be intensive, and both sides will be keen. A win for Coalition would prove that whatever the dissatisfaction with some of the Ministerial policy, the country is not yet convinced that it would be safe to trust to Labour promises or ability to do any better. A Labour victory would not be a real vote of confidence, unless the majority were; greatly increased. In that case, Labour would make big claims. Labour starts with advantages, as owing to the hardships arising from the economic crisis, the high taxation, and unemployment, the Government forms an open target to those who have done little or nothing to assist the Dominion to come safely through its troubles. Lavish promise will _be as easy as unscrupulous attack, and the effect on many electors cannot be doubted. Moreover, some former Liberals may be lukewarm in supporting Mr. Freeman, who is a Reform nominee, but whether these malcontents would go so far as to support Labour is doubtful. Altogether, the by-election provides an interesting prospect, and it should serve the useful purpose of reviving public interest in things political.