POLITICAL MEETINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1935, Page 4

POLITICAL MEETINGS.

Taranaki as a whole is to be congratulated on the interest it is taking in the speeches of various candidates for political honours, and the restraint and courtesy extended to speakers at campaign addresses. Apathy is often the most unsatisfactory feature of municipal and Parliamentary elections, but on this occasion the meetings in the larger centres of the province have been very well attended, and there is a general indication that the people are taking a thoughtful interest in politics. This is no doubt due in some measure to the vastly improved standard of education in New Zealand, and partly to the abnormal times the country lias been passing through, which has stimulated attention on matters political. In such times as this it is only natural that the Government party should be subject to strong criticism, and a Minister of the Crown the more so. Years ago the Hon. S. G. Smith, for instance, as a Ministerial representative of the party in power prior to the election, would almost certainly have had "stormy” meetings. Yet on this occasion he, along with every other candidate, has had very well attended meetings but orderly ones for all that. Mr.’ Smith has had plenty of interjections, to which on the whole no objection can be taken, and in no case has a candidate not had a fair hearing. The issues are too serious for frivolity or disorder, and the public’s appreciation of this is to the credit of all concerned.