Manawatu Daily Times Preparing hr the General Election

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 6485, 17 December 1927, Page 8

Manawatu Daily Times Preparing hr the General Election

Signs are not ivanting that next year’s general election will not only present a series of novel features, hut will become one of the keenest fought events experienced for many years in this Dominion. The licensing question, the re-grouping of the Liberal-National parties, and the ever-growing independent factions of Reform—all will contribute their quota of interest and uncertainty to a parliamentary election the results of which may bring about a complete change of the present political situation. The last twelve months have witnessed a gradual transformation of public opinion-per-ceptible to all but apparently the Government itself—throughout the business and farming communities, and if not checked, these altered conditions will become the deciding factor in next years election. As to how far they will make themselves felt depends entirely upon the organization put into the field by the various political sections and on the. calibre of the men that will seek the favour of the electors.

As to the constitution of a new party that is to embrace the exacting x-equirements of existing forces such as the Libei'al-National elemental and at the same time open the door to new shades of political opinion and so acquire the elements essential to success, much rumour and gossip has been current of late. At the same time Steady organizing work is being carried on in the cities and larger towns among the business community, the general tendencies of which cannot be regarded hut as being decidedly anti-Rcform. Dui’ing the last session the Govennnent by the general tenure of its legislation, and particularly by materially increasing the country’s already heavy taxation, has added fuel to this movement without much hope of finding compensating suppoi't and popularity in other directions. In fact, the effects of last session’s legislation will Only gain prominence during the coming year, and therefore will prove an effective weapon during the general election.

The result of the Raglan by-election may be regarded as a typical expression by the average New Zealand farmer, and subsequent events have shown that the Government certainly accepted it as such and heeded the warning. It is in this direction that we anticipate material changes, for here is most room for improvement. Although we never favoured the formation of a farmers’ political party we still think that more care should be exercised when choosing men to represent primary producers. A majority of farmer members on entering Parliament have in the past sacrificed any individuality and independence they may have possessed and have fallen easy victims to party exigencies. They become politicians first and foremost and are farmers only when touring on their own constituencies. This is the reason why during the years of struggle and depression in spite of numerical strength in the House of Representatives the primary industries of this country received scant consideration and attention, and the reason also why reforais were forced upon the Government not by pressure brought from within Parliament but from without.

The change which has taken place should therefore be encouraged by those who appreciate the important part played by the farming community in our economic system. Discussing the finances of the Dominion at Elthara the other day Mr. W. J. Poison, Dominion President of the Farmers’ Union, voiced a strong protest against the waste, extravagance, and inefficiency that characterise the picsent administration. He declared that many farmers had walked off their holdings, that there was still a great deal of unemployment, and, worst of all, that taxation was increasing and greatly aggravating the other troubles common to both town and country. “It is time,’’ he insisted, “for plain sneaking and united action'.” It is this spirit that will bo in evidence in the coming election and there is every indication that the combined efforts of the. business and farming communities will pave (he way to greater efficient j, creator economy and greater prosperity.