The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1928 “THE MOVING FINGER WRITES”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 509, 12 November 1928, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1928 “THE MOVING FINGER WRITES ”

FOUR fateful words will be written on Wednesday by the moving linger of the Dominion electorate, but there is no valid reason for anticipating a message of doom for the administrative rulers. It appears to be as certain as these things can be that the handwriting on the political wall will read: “Reform, Labour, United, Independent.” No other anticipation seems reasonable in the noisy and confused circumstances. Of course, there has been much talk of a great landslide smothering the Government, but that sort of confident prediction must be placed in the category of wartime propaganda. Where is the proof that such prophecy rests on solid fact?

Beyond doubt, it is true that Sir Joseph Ward has enjoyed three magnificent public receptions during a campaign in which an indisposition, unfortunately, has reminded him of the inexorable truth that the ruthless rigours of a hard battle is for young warriors and not for veterans. Still, these demonstrations of goodwill do not in their hearty character presage a sweeping triumph for his party at the polls. On the contrary, obviously and easily understood, the spirit of these occasions has been inspired by keen sympathy and honest admiration for an “elder statesman” who, altogether apart from polities and in spite of his flamboyant financial policy, is a likeable man, a genial citizen. Thus, it can be inferred fairly and accurately that hundreds of electors in the-centres of population which have hailed him with lavish kindness would have no hesitation at all in cheering the Leader of the United Party for himself and because of a high record in past administration, while remaining determined in their minds not to vote for his camp-followers. Except for the ultra-optimistic United candidates themselves, how many of the clear-thinking electors in Auckland, for example, anticipate a glorious triumph for the new party in this wide electorate ? Unless all the silent voters mean to plump for a gigantic borrowing scheme on terms which would make a sixth form schoolboy laugh in derision, all the United candidates likely to be returned from the Auckland Province could he comfortably seated in a touring automobile. Those close observers of the political campaign throughout the Dominion who have exercised their judgment in pricking the election cards all agree unhesitatingly in predicting a victory for Reform, with Labour in the second place, enjoying a moderate increase of strength to function effectively as his Majesty’s Opposition. But they all agree also in prophesying a reduction in Reform’s big majority at the general election three years ago. This means that the message to he written by the moving finger will at least be a warning to the Government that in some things political it has been found wanting. And if the warning be heeded in the right way and in the right spirit a reduction of its party’s strength in Parliament to, say, 44 or 45 chastened members, will do it no harm and will be all to the greater good of the country. Twice since the initial and rather loose enunciation of the United Party’s stupendous borrowing scheme, Sir Joseph Ward has been given generous opportunity to state clearly and definitely how he will he able to raise £70,000,000 in ten years at 4.74 per cent, interest, and lend it to farmers and workers at 4.75 per cent, without adding a farthing additional cost to the taxpayer, but so far he has failed to convince anybody except his deluded party.