The Manawatu Daily Times The Election Looms Ahead

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 173, 25 July 1935, Page 6

The Manawatu Daily Times The Election Looms Ahead

Just four inonths to go to polling day!

The General Election this year promises to be the keenest and most interesting fought m a generation. A depression period Government will be facing the electors a Government that has carried through some most drastic legislation m the face of severe criticism from varying sections of the eommuni y. The Government, to give it its due, has displayed undaunted courage and maintained the national finances on a stable basis.

These facts will be admitted even by its severest critics. Two major matters of the gravest interest the whole Dominion will be key points m the coming struggle, -these the monetary reform and unemployment. The Government has viewed both problems from tlie traditional standpoint—that taken by the Governments of the Homeland, Australia and the other Dominions.

* There is, however, an urge for change evident amongst the people, widespread but as yet without concentrated direction. Appealing to those so thinking, we have the Labour Party in the forefront, in addition there is the Democrat Party and the promise of a numerous body of independent candidates, indeed, the number of independents promises to exceed any previous record.

The Palmerston electorate now is being offered the choice of three candidates—Government, Labour and independent. There has been no Democrat candidate as yet announced, although several names have been mentioned, l'he Demociat organisation announced some months ago that it intended to run candidates in every electorate, and it may yet nominate one for Palmerston. There is also some possibility of an independent Labour candidate standing in opposition to the official nominee.

Three candidates have announced themselves and possibly two more may yet enter the fight* Consequently we arc assured of a most strenuous contest, and no one can complain 0.l the calibre of the aspirants for political honours.

The present member, Mr. J. A. Nash, has held the seat foi the past 17 years and will be the Nationalist candidate, in the present Parliament he holds the responsible office of Ohaiimau of Committees. Mr. Nash has a long record of public service and is w'ell and widely known to his fellow-citizens.

Mr. J. Hodgens as Labour candidate represents the official Opposition, He has contested this seat before, and at the last election polled 5220 votes. He has a commendable record of public service and represents the best type of Labour leadership in the Dominion.

Mr. A. 15. Mansf ord, • whose candidature lias just been announced, was expected as a contestant foi some time past. He is standing as an Independent. It is rumoured that theDemocrat Party endeavoured unsuccessfully to secure his nomination. Mr. Mansford as Mayor of the city needs no_ introduction, his record in civic government being a distinguished one. The s effect of his entry into the coming contest will be to. direct particular attention to the monetary problem on which he holds strong views, and will certainly bring the equally important issue of unemployment into the very heart of the battle.

It will be seen that the electorate is already offered an excellent choice of candidates. All three aspirants have had a long residence in the city; they have a wide record of public service and are consequently well known to the electois. I hey are all men of ability possessed of a thorough knowledge of public affairs. Their candidature offers the electors a threefold choice: to support the Government or vote against it. If the latter, theft, to vote Labour or to give a non-party vote. Four months hence the elector will give his verdict at the ballot box. During the intervening period he will hear the claims of each candidate personally, and the claims in two instances of the party for which he stands.

It may be fairly predicted that the coming election campaign will be keenly contested and as keenly followed. The result appears unpredictable, as all three have strong followings and are experienced platform speakers. The possibility or the introduction of preferential voting at the coming election introduces a further clement of uncertainty as to the outcome of the local contest.