THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY "Public Service.” FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1946. RAGDAN BY-ELECTION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32671, 1 February 1946, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY "Public Service.” FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1946. RAGDAN BY-ELECTION

With March 5 fixed as the date for the Raglan by-election, rendered necessary by the untimely death of Mr R. Coulter, interest in political affairs will again quicken. It is hoped this will be the last appeal to the electors before this year’s general election, and so the eyes of all party interests will be alert for straws in the wind. It is in such electorates, when support of the two main parties is fairly evenly divided, that the fate of the Government will be decided later this year. Indications are that there will be a straight contest between the candidates of the two principal parties. It has been proved often enough that the electors will pay little attention to any other candidates, no matter what their personality or policy may be, but in cases where the main divisions are so even a split vote may turn the tables. There would be more general satisfaction if Labour and National were left to decide the issue on their merits so that a real majority decision may be given. Since the last by-election exceedingly significant legislation has been passed by the Government and a clear-cut verdict on these measures by the electors would be welcome. The new law relating to the country quota and the electoral boundaries will not operate in this poll.

Socialism and all that it' implies will again be the major issue. The policy has now been sufficiently developed by the Government to give a fairly clear indication where it is leading, although its peacetime operation in full force has yet to be experienced. War conditions served to confuse and submerge many facets of the policy which will catch the limelight when wartime regulations are abolished: If there is. one aspect of the policy which more than any other has disturbed the public it is the revolt of those sections which, h aving voted Socialism into power and become dissatisfied with its results, have resorted to the taotiCxS of anarchy.