PALMERSTON AND DISTRICT SEATS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 1, 1 December 1931, Page 6

PALMERSTON AND DISTRICT SEATS.

In three of the four Palmerston and district seats there are straightout contests between the endorsed Coalition candidate and Labour; in the fourth the battle is between an Independent and the Coalition Reform nominee. The two candidates in this city are Mr J. Hodgens and Mr J. A. Nash. The former has been a member of the City Council for several ■ years and now holds the position of Deputy Mayor. He has experience on other local bodies of lesser importance to his credit. Notwithstanding the respect in which Mr Hodgens is held, the fact must not be overlooked by electors that he is the representative' of a party whose programme is subversive of the best interests of the Dominion, and one which, should it be given the endorsement of the whole electorate, would quickly destroy the large measure of stability that the Coalition Government has already achieved in its brief period in office. It is unthinkable that such a happening should be recorded in New Zealand’s political history. On the other hand,.. Mr Nash, since the day he entered Parliament 13 years ago, has, by energy and merit alone, held the confidence of the electors of Palmerston North. He is a tried and trusty servant of the people who has been endorsed by the Coalition Government as its candidate. As such, dispassionately reviewing all the circumstances of this

election, lie is entitled to tlie majority vote of the people. Added to this weighty evidence in support of his candidature is his remarkable record of public service, extending over more than a quarter of a century. There is not a local body in the district that has not had the benefit of liis services, and Palmerston North, it is no exaggeration to say, is the richer for Mr Nash’s entrance into its public life. His record is outstandingly impressive among New Zealand’s public men. What better criterion could the people of an electorate have in forming their judgment of the two candidates seeking their suffrages ? Their voting to-morrow should once more confirm Mr Nash in the high office for which his ability and record singularly fit him.

In the Manawatu electorate, Mr J. Linklater, who has held the seat since 1922 in the Reform interests, is opposed by a Labour candidate. A typically rural constituency, Mr Linklater has at all times studied the interests of the large body of farmers and of the working people he represents. His re-election is anticipated throughout his large electorate. It has been made easier by the United Party honouring the Coalition pact. The contest in Otaki is between the Coalition Reform candidate, Mr W. H. Field, and the Labour nominee, Mr J. Thorn. The retiring member’s task has been simplified considerably by the worthy spirit of Mr Sievwright in retiring from the election on the formation of the Coalition' Government. Mr Field has been Otaki’s representative in Parliament for a number of years, and the district has always been adequately represented by him. The electors, therefore, are not likely to be swayed by the vote catching promises of the Labour manifesto and will be found loyally supporting their retiring member. A much keener contest is promised in Rangitikei. Three years ago, Mr J. T. Hogan, standing as an Independent, to the surprise of most people, defeated Mr W. S. Glenn, who had held the seat for several years in the Reform interests. Then he had the support of the United Party. His opponent in this contest is a highly respected and widely known farmer, Mr A. Stuart, who is the endorsed Coali-tion-Reform candidate. If the United Party supporters honour the pact, as expected of them, then a change of representation will be recorded in Rangitikei. In any event, it seems likely that there will be close voting after a shaip election battle. If there is to be defeat for a retiring candidate in the four electorates reviewed, Rangitikei should provide it.