CASUAL COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1935, Page 2

CASUAL COMMENT

PASSING EVENTS. (By Observer). The return of Sir Alexander Held man to the political arena will afford opportunity for the political quidnuncs to expound big and Inigo. 110 ex judo-e has held ministerial rank m times past, and was not always a persona gratia in Cabinet circles. But he was a definite Reformer, although going Conservative. His abhorrence ot Mr Forbes, a Liberal, can be "-ell understood but he should be more kindly disposed to Mr Coates who at a critical period was so vital to Mr Massey to secure political power, and pave tne way for the Cabinet career referred to The candidate who has just entered the political stage, announced himself as an uncompromising opponent o! Labour. That was hardly necessary to state to the older generation. However, the Labour party is a different party to the Labour party Sir Alexander grappled with in his salad days. It j ?s not so red—it is more pink. The i constitution lias proved itself in times of stress, and as the little girl said at Home: “we have a good King and Queen, and the stability of the country is assured!” But if Sir Alexander has taken alarm at the financial operations of the Government, he may well feel alarmed at what the Labour proposes to do in the control of hanking and finance. The Government gave a small, dose of that policy with its banking legislation, and the collaring of the banks’ gold at bookkeeping prices. Perhaps there is some affinity with the likeness of Government and Labour on the points referred, which has aroused . the ire of those associated with Sir Alexander in the desire to give the Government the happy despatch. Messrs Forbes and Coates are racing home, and the former is timetabled to win by a short head. The coming session awaits their arrival, particularly the order of business. A Minister has said it will be “short and sweet. ’ He

niav prove a false prophet, because Labour will he disposed to take up much time in spade work for the coming election, and some of the legislation will not the to the palate of some of the members, and its sweetness will be at a discount. The certain appearance of the Democrats, makes a change in voting procedure almost as certain. Sir Alexander announces himself for Parnell, where a Government candidate , (Mr W. P. Endean) holds -the fort.’ A Labour candidate would be a certainty also. With two stalwarts dividing votes. Labour, has a sporting chance in a city, where Labour has increased its political hold. Could preferential voting save the situation? That problem will be weighed in more eases than one, and strange things happen in the political world at times for party advantages. There are some strange whispers about the Westland seat also, hut rumour is not correct always, and any change in the representation is doubtful in any circumstances: Still, there is not any opponent in the ling for the sitting member, to spar with, but it is hardly likely a walk-over will be allowed. An opponent may be regarded as certain. Meantime the'printing, of the main Electoral rolls is in hand, which suggests the reality of the general elections tin's year, silencing all comment that the Government would taken another year of office. Following the census next year, there will he a redistribution of political seats in accordance with the population returns. It is generally accepted that the South Island will lose one or tiro members, unless the allocation scheme is amended. If so. one member may go from the West Coast and one from the East Coast. As far as the West Coast is concerned, the Westland constitutuencv would be extended into the Puller, and the balance of the Boiler district would pass into Motueka—according to the general belief. The second seat to disappear, it is expected, would be in the Otago territory, where adjustments of boundaries to comp'y with the land, would cause an existing electorate to disappear.

There was some interesting news ill thy reading columns last evening. A pacifist procession in Auckland the previous evening, with the singing ol the “Red Flag.” Mussolini’s remark that by September. Italy would have 800,000 troops (half mechanised) distributed along the European frontier! The British Foreign Secretary’s solemn utterance ; ”1 would not be lamest with the House of Commons if 1 did not say that in the British (ioverinnent.’s view the state of Europe to-day remains one of gloom and apprehension.” And the House adjounod for its vacation —the Speaker to summon the 'British Parliament, if a crisis arose during the adjournment!! Where, and what is the nigger in the fence? There is something more than Abyssinia disturbing the concert of nations. But till more information is available comment would be only hypothetical. Meantime there is occasion to reflect, and pacifists should hold their peace for the time being. There is something more sefieus afoot, and our political squabble can be put aside also.