The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1918. A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 19 February 1918, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1918. A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.

With winch is incorporated The Tai Impe Pi.sc and Wairaarino News).

The greatest interest is being manifested throughout the whole Dominion in the Wellington North by-election. Newspapers from the North Cape to the Bluff are discussing it, and many are asking why the Premier forced the constituency in to high limelight by choosing such an uphill course. It is being pointed out that political preferments usually fellow loyalty and long service, and it is claimed that the last man to be selected for these qualities has been chosen. Moreover, he is an alien to the electorate in which reside some of the most capable men in New Zealand, from every point of view. When Mil Massey was selecting a new member of the Cabinet from members of his party, he selected his most loyal henchman, Mr. Guthrie. Every member of the House and every man in the country will not cavil at Mr_ Massey’s choice, the politicssal colour of the man will not come into consideration. Mr. Guthrie is a loyal, just and capable representative. He the inherent qualities British people admire, and his appointment to the status of a Cabinet Minister will not be subject of carping criticism anywhere. Mr. Massey took the com-mon-sense course in the appointment of Mr. Guthrie, therefore, it is not understandable why he made Wellington North so notorious by choosing a candidate who honestly loyal people cannot support. We say honestly loyal, because there are very many electors more loyal to their party than to their own consciences who will vote for Mr. Luke just because he is Mr. Massey’s selection, but who otherwise would almost as soon vote for Mr. Holland. Whichever candidate is elected will make no difference to the National Government, but we would point out to the Premier < that his blunder Is making it possible for a political precedent to be recorded that may be'’followed in subsequent by-elections; that feeling is running so high throughout the country that the precedent may prove an exceedingly, dangerous one. Should Wellington North return a Socialist it would provide Socialists in other constituencies with a very powerful lever with which to work in other Socialists. The election of a Socialist, replacing a Reformer, in Wellington North will not immediately affect the status of the Government but it is beyond any astute politician’s comprehension to realise why Mr. Massey took such a risk. Wellington North may prove a regrettable example for other constituencies, it seems to us that internal trials of strength should be avoided as far as possible, and why the party leader should have invited an election contest fraught with all the disturbing elements of party politics while there was no occasion for it, neither the people of Wellington North, or the people of any other part of the Do-

minion seem to know. 'As our Wellington correspondent points out, the defeat of Mr. Luke would not bring about a political crisis, but, we mayadd, it would give a lead to malcontents, encourage more vigorous criticism of the faults and misfortunes of the National Government, and form a precedent to be followed in possibly subsequent by-elections. A general I election taking place by ordinary expiry of Parliament would not necessarily be aNsource of danger or misfortune, but one arising out of political chaos is something to be avoided.