Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1946. RAGLAN TEST.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 January 1946, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1946. RAGLAN TEST.

THE announcement of the elates for nominations and polling in connection with the Raglan by-election, necessary through the death of Mr. R. Coulter, will awaken public interest in the contest. A “mixed” constituency with farming ami industrial strongholds, Raglan should give a pointer as to' the way the later general elections are likely to go. It will also test the strength of the farmers’ indignation with the Labour Government, due to the abolition of the country quota, nationalisation of the Bank of New Zealand, primary produce prices and costs, and other matters about which farming organisations have been vociferous. Tn the 1943 general elections, the figures in the Raglan electorate were as follow: R. Coulter (Labour), 4,817; R. J. Glasgow (National), 4,709; A. Dillon (Democratic Labour), 289; S. Burton (Real Democratic Movement), 221; informal, 90. Majority for Coulter, 118.

The candidates, so far, nominated in the by-election are Mr. Hally burton Johnstone, chairman of the Raglan County Council and chairman of Federated Farmers in the district, as the Nationalist representative, and Mr. Alan Baxter, of Otorohanga, for Labour. Each must be estimated as a “strong” candidate... Mr. Johnstone has perhaps the doser district relations, and if the farmers vote unitedly, his chance of success appears bright. Mi. Baxter was born in Taranaki 34 years ago. He gained the Distinguished Flying Cross as an observer in 1942 and a Bar to the Cross as a pilot two years later. He completed more than 80 operations over the Continent during five years’ service in the Air Force, returning to New Zealand less than a year ago with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He has had farming experience, and recently has acted as a Labour organiser. With the large mining vote at his disposal, his supporters will express confidence that he will retain the seat for Labour, especially if the contest, is straight-out between the two principal Parties.

It is understood that Mr. J. A. Lee, leader of the Democratic Labour Party, has no intention of being a candidate, noi will he encourage his Party to split the Labour vote. Indeed, it is stated that Mr. Lee has repented of his breakaway and is anxious to return to the Labour fold. So far, the Labour leaders have not responded to his overtures, but some in the Labour rank and file would welcome his return. Appeals to consolidate all Laboui groups are frequent, and although the Democratic Labour Party has not proved so strong as Mr. Lee hoped. Labour would be relieved if this Party no longer existed. Of course, members of Mr. Lee’s Party may not agree to commit suicide to make easy his return to official Labour. Other Independents may have ambitions to represent Raglan, but, to-day, the prospects suggest the contest will be confined to the Nationalist-Labour official candidates. Hope will father thought when people predict how the by-election will result, but the Nationalists have justification for their optimism. The election will be under the old system, as the “country quota will not be abolished, until new boundaries are fixed. The bulk of the Raglan electors will vote according to long-estab-lished Party loyalties, Nationalist or Lar hour, but the non-party moderates will base their support on the mood of the day. Farmers’ grievances have received much publicity, and efforts have been progressing to make all farmers conscious of the wrongs the Labour Government has inflicted on them. Disgust with State controls, supplies shortages and import restrictions, Labour pandering to one class and Government opportunism, expenditure and high taxation, will sway many votes to the Nationalists. On the. other hand, increased pensions and family allowances, the 40-hour week with higher wages, and other instances of Govern ment” generosity at the public expense, will be powerful propaganda m favour ot voting Labour. Generally, the Raglan con test should have interest beyond that usually associated with a provincial byelection. _____