THE ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18282, 18 December 1919, Page 6

THE ELECTIONS.

Tax results of the elections give the Massey Government a majority. That is beyond question. Whether tho nc,w Parliament is the choice of tho majority of the electors is another question, for we have not had time yet to analyse tho voting. .It would he un-i candid for us to deny that wo are die*" appointed, for wo had hoped to see the Conservative Party defeated and a progressive policy pot into operation as soon as possible. We dislike and distrust the Reform Party, and our feelings are founded upon long observation and acquaintance. Mr Massey and his friends, however, claim 1 to have been converted to democratic principles by tho practical object-lessons which they ‘have received of the virtues and benefits of the legislation passed against their wishes by tbe Governments projected over by Ballonce, Seddon and Ward: It is oven claimed for Mr Massey, strangely enough, that he is “ Seddonian.” If he has the will to justify that claini, he certainly haa the opportunity in the Parliament elected yesterday. Possibly the Prime Minister will realise his responsibilities to the whole jof) the people, and try to forget, when occasions arise, as they will arise, that he is not merely the representative of wealth and land monopoly- Experience has certainly taught Mr Massey astuteness, and if ihe is aspiring, as his admirers would have us believe, to wear the mantle of Seddon, lie-may democratise his mind and Ms methods. He went to the country, however, with a noncommittal policy and with no indications that he will treat the large problems of the day on modern lines. His xeoord in connection with what are probably the two greatest subjects—the land question and the cost of living—does not make us too sanguine. Realising, however, that Mr Massey will have the destinies of tho country very largely in Ms hands during the next three years, we earnestly hopo that he will really try to justify the trust that is imposed iu Mm and the claim that has been made on his behalf that he is democratic.

■ The Liberal Party suffered some heavy reverses yesterday. The whole Dominion will be stunned and grieved at the defeat of Sir Joseph, Ward after Jus long possession of the Awarua seat. Incidents of this kind are, of course, not at all new in political history, and we do not doubt that the Liberal statesman will soon bo restored to the Parliament which ho so long adorned. He is certainly too valuable as a financier and! as an all-round statesman for the country to lose his services. Sir James Carroll’s defeat i s another of the principal surprises, and wo know that this incident, together with that at Awarua, will bo regretted by people of all parties and of all shades of opinion On the Reform side, the fortunes, or misfortunes, of battle have chiefly taken shape in, the defeat of Mr J. B Uine, Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr Hino was one of the younger members of Parliament and probably one of the least conservative members of his party. It is hard luck for him to lose his seat so soon after his preferment. In Canterbury we regret very sincerely the defeat of such old and able members of the Liberal Party as tbe Hon G. W. Russell and Mr George Forbes. We had fully anticipated that both of these gentlemen would hold their seats comfortably, and we are sorry that this was not tbe case. However, wo expect them to get back to the House before very long. Mr Ell’s non-success is not a surprise, for he bad obviously no chance in the big field that contested the Lyttelton seat. Mr Ell had been in Parliament for a score of years and has a very honourable record of useful work. If he had chosen to stand again for Christchurch South he would almost certainly have been returned. Hie Hon D, Buddo has also fallen in the fight—the good fight—and in this ease the victor, Mr David Jones, has little to'be proud of in the figures. Our morning contemporary is to be congratulated, for what it is worth, upon the election of its favourites for Christchurch South and Avon. We suppose the congratulation is really worth a great deal ,since it is A .long time

since our contemporary swung an election. Its tactics in proclaiming a Re-form-Red allianco havo served their purpose, for the time being, in the defeat of two Liberals. We are bound, however, to acquit the successful candidates, Mr Howard and Mr Sullivan, of any part In the conspiracy, Thoy both fought clean fights and made no bids for any but Labour support." The Lyttelton result is quite a victory for Mr M’Combs. If a straight fight had taken place between two parties the result might have been altered, hut tho figures simply boar out our contention that the circumstances praoticnlly presented the seat to Labour. We are sorry that Mr Dickie did not win the Ashburton soat, principally because we detest the raising of the sectarian issue, which w'as undoubtedly employed in that constituency. We regret it also because we think Mr Dickie a more useful politician than Mr Nosworthy. In Ellesmere Colonel Rhodes’s great personal popularity triumphed once more over the demerits of his politics. Canterbury remains Liberal in sentiment, while Christchurch continues to be, in its representation, unanimously anti-Conserva-tive. An important feature of the elections is the added strength of the Labour Party, but those who dislike this have the consolation of knowing that Mr Robert Semple, one of the reddest of the Reds, suffered defeat at tbe hands of a returned soldier.