WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1935, Page 8

WELLINGTON TOPICS

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

SOME OF ITS WORRIES

(Special to “Guardian.”)

WELLINGTON, May 29

At the last Parliamentary election, that of 1931, there were so many parties and so many different individuals in the contest, that it was difficult in many cases to ascertain how . a considerable number of the candidates could make themselves seen or heard. There were United Coalitionists and (Reform Coalitionists .who were not officially endorsed. Then there were La'bbour candidates, Country Patty tan didates and Independent Libcial can didates, and Communist and other candidates that cann°t at this distance o time be recalled. Counted up it will be found that of the candidates who secured seats at the general election of 1931, some thirty-two were Be form Coalitionists; twenty-four Labour and twenty United Coalitionists. This morning the “Reform’ newspaper has informed the community at large ' that the new' National Political Federation will be held in the Capital City to-day in' two gatherings. The first, it rs proclaimed, will he a meeting of the Parliamentary members of the Reform and United Parties to discuss a proposal to arrange a presessionaf platfo'm campaign with, a view to promoting the interests of the federating, inference is being held this morning the .offices, of the federation In the afternoon a conference of members and supporters of the National P olltlC ‘ a ’ federation is hv held with th Object of establishing in the Welhngtau district an executive similar to that established recently in Auckland In Auckland recently six ropiest « tn.es of the Reform organisation ant idx representing the Uintec _ a * • were elected to advance the uiteie. ■ uf tlie National Government at the forthcoming general election early »’ December. “It is anticipated, the announcement runs, “that . a g|> oc muster of representatives of both par - ies will be secured in Wellington. Members of the new organisation recognise that a keen electioneering campaign is inevitable, and that unit fed action is necessary to confront 1 10 opposing political forces.” That there is need for attention on both side? during *th e approaching election campaign goes without saying; but at the 1 present stage of affairs there is .little fear of Labour mounting the Treason Bench on an early occasion.-

If Mr W. Nash of Hutt, Mr Pete>Fraser of Wellington City, and Mr M . J. Savage of Auckland West, had hck’ fast to theT’progress they and some of their colleagues had made during the last three *or four years, they might have some opportunity of reaching thtTreasury Bench in 'the course of a year or two. The three members just mentioned are as capable, as earnest and as alert as are the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance; but they are, perhaps, a little less tactful than are their more adroit opponents. Two or three years later Mr Nash may' he a very capable Prime Minister and Mr Fraser a very adroit and successful Minister of Finance, but meanwhile they should move warily.