The Waipa Post. Published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1923. TAURANGA BYE-ELECTION.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1371, 24 March 1923, Page 4

The Waipa Post. Published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1923. TAURANGA BYE-ELECTION.

THE Taurauga bye-election, which still forms the chief topic of discussion and speculation, seems to have resolved itself into a personal contest, between Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward. Mr Macmillan, the Reform candidate, whose name was occasionally mentioned during the early stages of the contest as Sir William Herries’ legatee, is now entirely overshadowed by his political chief, and people at a distance have no means of knowing anything about his politics or his personality. it is assumed, however, that he is a good party man, of a type dear to the heart of every political leader, and that the official Reform vote, whatever its strength may be. will go to him unanimously. Sir Joseph Ward’s att-titude towards the. parties is less plain. Judging from the temperate and conciliatory tone of his speeches, he is not seeking re-admission to Parliament for the purpose of fomenting further party strife. One might assume from his published words, indeed. that he is prepared to set the party question aside altogether for the lime being, and to act. as a sort of benevolent mediator between the contending forces. But, however becoming a role of that kind might be

to a politician of his long experience, it is probably not one which would be welcomed by his old party opponents. It is evident, from the manner in which prominent. Reformers and Liberals are campaigning, that the result of the election must have a big hearing on Dominion politics. Why ..his should be is, to the average man, obscure, and he wants to know why there should be such sharp divisions as to party. The party system has probably accomplished much good for the common weal, but at times its presence is most, embarrassing to leaders and to rankers. It. would be very embarrassing to Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Wilford alike, in comparison with, the

! present campaign, were if not that Sir Joseph has been clever enough or is it fortunate enough? —10 side-step the issue whenever it presented itself. By Wednesday next we may expect to | read of still further efforts by the I “ heads ” to ensure the election of ! their respective candidates.