PARTY DIFFICULTIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20528, 1 April 1930, Page 12

PARTY DIFFICULTIES.

SEEKING ,THI£ 3EST MEN. POLITICS NOT ATTRACTIVE. STRONG PERSONALITY NEEDED. Tlio difficulties of both the Reform and United Parties in securing an outstanding personality to contest tho Farnell bvoloction direct attention to a post-war development in New Zealand politics which may lead tlio Dominion into a situation which both parties and their supporters are anxious to avoid —acceptance of a Socialist Government. So far, the electors as a body throughout the country have refused to give the Labour Party political power, but just as constant drops of water will wear away the hardest rock, so may Labour successes at by-elections weaken the anti-Socialist barricade until it crumbles.

In 1925, when Sir James Parr vacated tho then Eden seat on his appointment as Iligh Commissioner, Labour, represented by 11. G. IL Mason, won tho seat against Sjr James Gunson, the official Reform candidate, and Miss Melville, Independent Reform. When tho Raglau seat became vacant, in 1927, through tho death of the, Hon. R. F. Bollard, tho subsequent by-election was won by Mr. W. Leo Martin, Labour, against the official Reform and other candidates. More recently, Hutt returned Labour's nominee, Mr. W. Nash, when tho appointment of Mr. T. M. Wilford as High Commissioner opened tho way for a threo-qorner contest between Labour, Reform and United. Men With Responsibilities.

The apparent unwillingness of outstanding personalities to accept tho challenge of tlio hustings is held by astute observers to be duo to soveral factors in tho Dominion's political life. One is tho attractions or lack of attractions of politics as a career. Wliilo it is a matter for gratification that there are men who aro willing to put their commercial prosperity to hazard by following politics, there are many more who could bo of great use to tho country, but who aro compelled to vith-hold their active aid because of their financial responsibilities. If they can bo persuaded to discuss further tlidfr plain statement, " I cannot afford to go in for politics," it will be found that these men have before them a commercial or professional career which promises certain cash advantages as a result of some years of closo application. They have responsibilities which they feel they cannot shirk, even although tho strongest pressure is put upon them. The Labour Viewpoint.

'Jo the averago Labour candidate, however, the financial side of politics presents a different aspect. For most, tho salary paid to members of Parliament, £450 a year plus a bonus of £IOO a year, or over £lO 10s week, plus the railway pass, represents a dogreo Df ■ affluence rarely reached in the trade union circles through which many of tho candidates graduate. Provided his party is able to bear the greater part of tho expenses of the election, the Labour man is willing to throw himself into the contest. If successful ho gives up his other appointments in acceptance of tho principlo of ono man, one job, and devotes all his time to nursing his constituency, and to studying Labour's side of tlio questions at issue. On tho financial side, politics represent sacrifice to tho best anti-Labour candidates, and some degree of promotion to tho Labour men.

The fato that lias befallen men who might be described as suitable candidates in every way is pointed to as another reason why many successful business men hesitato to enter politics. Attention will bo directed to the rejection at the hands of tlio electors of Sir James Gunson, Sir Andrew Russell, the late Dean Bamford and the two Rollestons, F. J. at Timaru, and J. C. at Waitomo. Thero are numerous other cases, all showing that the fickle fancy of tho public makes politics too uncertain to justify acceptance of tlio other risks entailod. In this connection the Labour candidate does not hazard a great deal. Appeal to the Emotions. As a final reason why business men of prominence hesitate to accept a political career, observers point to one of the weaknesses of democracy—the success of tho appeal to the emotions over tho appeal to reason. It is pointed out that an analysis of tho speeches of some of the socalled successful politicians reveals that they are composed of assertions and promises that a few moments' reflection would show were impossible of fulfilment. " But that is tho sort of tiling that goes down with tho crowd. They have the votes and they apparently like that sort of stuff, but I am not going to give it to them. If I could ho sure that every voter, no matter what his position may bo on the social and business scale, would really think before ho votes, there would bo nothing in defeat. But to ho defeated on the votes of people whoso heads are ruled by their emotions is not good enough." That, according to some of tho observers, is tho last answer of men who would be, but will not bo, candidates — meji who would present a better fighting front than is now being offered to organised Socialism.