THE GREY RIVER ARGUS WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1925. MIXING THE ISSUE.

Grey River Argus, 29 July 1925, Page 4

THE GREY RIVER ARGUS WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1925. MIXING THE ISSUE.

6; An electioneering campaign lias been launched by the two Tory Parties — '' they acknowledge the whacking up of ! th e loaves and fishes of office as their only remaining difference —a.id the " electors will at once perceive they are Loth out to disguise the real election ; issues. In one place the Beformers J declare they arc only aiming to keep Labour from power; while in some .other electorate, 'where there arc likely to be three candidates, they say t theirs is the only brand of politics jworthy of being retailed to the pub- | lie. On the other hand, the “Nation- • ulists” tell the people in some localities the issue is Socialism versus anti- . Socialism, but where they oppose a Bel form candidate they claim the issue is that of strong government versus self- ■ seeking. The electors, however, should 3 everywhere insist upon the true issue*, which is whether the high cost of living shall continue concurrently with wage cuts and tax cuts, whether wholesale immigration shall go on without .any provision being made for the newcomers to secure a livelihood; whether customs taxation shall be raised to the extent that income tax is lowered; and whether th e present favouritism as between one class and another, one [ industry and another, and one district and another shall continue unchecked.' , The fusion farce may have been in ' part designed as a red herring’, to distract popular attention from all the social and economic evils under which the lowspaid a,nd exploited workers, <■ the mortgage-burdened farmers, and J tho neglected local industries are suf-, k | J fering to-day. The West Coast has. al particular interest in seeing the timber' J and coal industries placed on a better footing, and protected from unfair outside competition. It has also important railway interests to advance, and to claim at least as good consid-

eration as is lieing shown Marlborough ami many North leltind localities in this respect. The workers and all producers who are at present ignored by the ruling element should see that, men are sent to Parliament who will fight for fair play to everybody, and for putting an end to the policy of discrimination and favouritism. The antiLabour politicians have nothing to say about the cost of living these days, but the people feel the pinch, and they should test the candidates on this point in every instance. The sham light of the past decade is still being carried on, to the exclusion of the serious eonsideration of public welfare, but the electors should put a stopper u.uc and for all upuf the candidates nlin ,under the guii-e of imperialism or any other generality, set. one section against another upon issues Hint are false, and lead but to bitterness and bad blood. Provided Hie electors are true to themsehes, the Tory attempt to mix the issue will be a signal failure.