Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 1943. WESTLAND CANDIDATES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 September 1943, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 1943. WESTLAND CANDIDATES.

ZEALAND’S claim to lead the world in various directions might not stand close investigation, but there is one instance wherein her method is as good as anywhere, and that is in the way in which her general elections are conducted. Rarely is there anything approaching the riotous, personal rancour is discouraged, and although hard verbal knocks are given and taken, the agreement to disagree where necessary is observed, and at the end of the contest, the victors are congratulated, and the losers accept the verdict of the majority, with good grace. This commonsense system

lacks thrills and cheap sensation, and sometimes suggests apathy and indifference, but it is a development about which all concerned may be gratified. In. Westland, the election campaign has been quiet, in contrast, to some of the

district contests in the “‘good old days,” when cheap entertainment, was often available to those who gathered at political meetings. In these days of much publicity, Press, radio, and pamphleteering, there is not so much inducement to attend the candidates’ meetings, but the determination to vote on Saturday next, should not weaken. The candidates deserve this response, if only in recognition of their public spirit in offering their services. The recent wet weather has added to the arduous nature of the campaigning, and the candidates have the light to demand from the electors attendance at the polling booths. Every vole is of value and may turn an election. Compulsory voting, as in Australia, is open to objection, but the moral duty to vote is obvious.

Westland has been spared a multiplicity of candidates, and this makes the task of selection easier. Some Labour circles declare the contest is all over bar shouting, but this remains to be seen. Mr. Chivers was handicapped by being late in the field, but he soon proved that he could worthily represent the constituency in the new Parliament. He is young and active, and will always be at hand to study M ostland’s special needs. His main appeal, however, is based on the cause he represents. A vote for All’. Chivers is also a vote for Holland, individual freedom, and less State interference. A vote for Mr. O’Brien is one for Fraser, bureaucratic regimentation, and State control of every activity. Which of these policies do Westland electors prefer?

Claims are being made that West land should vote again for Mr. O’Brien because of his good work for the district since he was first elected. It would be churlish to refuse to recognise Mr. O’Brien’s activities, but it is wrong to betray political principles for bridges and culverts. Mr. O’Brien has helped to make rough places smooth and crooked places straight, but all this was at public expense, and does not confer the right to lifelong membership of Parliament upon him. If he has been good to Westland, the constituency has been good to him, as he owes to it all the privileges and prestige that Parliamentary membership confers, leading in his case, to further valuable Ministerial rank. Were this a by-election, with the form of Government not involved, personal matters might be permitted to influence the voters’ choice, but in a general election. Westland people must take wider views, and vote on national grounds, which, on Saturday will mean support of the National candidate.