The Waipa Post. Published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1922. THE ELECTION IN WAIKATO.

Waipa Post, Volume XXI, Issue 1316, 11 November 1922, Page 4

The Waipa Post. Published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1922. THE ELECTION IN WAIKATO.

UNPREJUDICED onlookers have found much to interest them during the week in the political movements in Waikato. Although Mr Massey is seemingly displaying gfeat caution in affixing his party label, the handwriting is on the wall—there is a clear indication of Reform's intentions. Mr J. T. Johnson may be safely regarded as the party candidate. Now that Mr Mervyn Wells has withdrawn from the contest the political atmosphere is beginning to cleaiv and the party is consolidating itself in readiness for a full frontal attack upon an equally consolidated Liberal following. Mr Dent, the Kawhia Reform nominee, is not in the running, for, apart from the persistent rumour that he informed privileged persons that he did not intend to proceed to election, the fact that he has made no public demonstration of his candidature is indeed suggestive and indicates clearly and definitely that he has retired from the field. That being the case, Waikato will divide into two distinct camps—Liberal and Reform; instead of four candidates to divide the issue there remain but two, and it is a perfectly justifiable assumption that only two will go to the poll. The effect of the re-shuffling that has taken place during the week, however, is full of interest, particularly since there are many electors who see in modern politics only the licensing and totalisator legislation as the beginning and ending of all things. The bugbear of taxation seems to 'be forgotten in the comparison, the question of land tenuie counts for nothing, and the economic security of the State can be entirely side-tracked. One-eyed politics of this nature should be condemned, but nevertheless it remains true that there are those electors who consider national policies solely from the standpoint of the law as affecting the licensing system and the regulation of the totalisator. Though perhaps the numerical result of the polling may not count for very much on this score it will be interesting to observe whether these one-eyed, electors pin their faith to Liberal or Reform policies now that there has been a re-shuffling of candidates in Waikato. But that is a question for the future. Quite the most spectacular happening of the week has been the retirement of Mr Wells in favour of Mr Johnson in deference to the wishes of Mr Massey. That Mr Wells should have sacrificed personal ambition in order to serve his party can only indicate the loftiest of public motives; he sets before self the political security and safety of the State, for, as a supporter of Mr Massey, Mr Wells naturally believes that security of his party is synonymous with security of the State, and he has cheerfully sacrificed personal ambition for what he regards as the wider public interest. New Zealand owes a deep debt of gratitu le to men of this stamp who will, when called upon, dispel selfish motives for the public good; and to Mr Wells Waikato owes due recognition. The visit of Mr Wilford yesterday must enhance the Liberal prospect; if nothing else, it has definitely opened the campaign in Waikato. With, the Liberal banner unfurled and with Reform consolidated there is every prospect of a hardfought contest in Waikato during the coming three and a half weeks. The licensing issue becomes more and more interesting, and there is an increasing activity in the rival camps every day. The fight is going on with unabated vigour, and anything may happen in this connection. Now that the electors have only a few days in which to complete enrolment no time should be lost in securing the franchise. The rolls are to definitely close next Thursday; after that it will be too late to correct any errors or omissions that may have occurred. Those who have not already done so should straightway peruse the main and supplementary rolls at the nearest post office; it will count for nothing to neglect this responsibility to-day and to growl afterwards. It is estimated that there will be at least an additional 600 Waikato names on the final supplementary roll to be issued next Friday.