THE WAIPA POST. Printed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. SATURDAY, 8th December, 1934. A POLITICAL RETROSPECT.

Waipa Post, Volume 49, Issue 3555, 8 December 1934, Page 6

THE WAIPA POST. Printed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. SATURDAY, Bth December, 1934. A POLITICAL RETROSPECT.

HAD it happened mat tne politico calendar haa run its normal course the electors would, i>y now, nave required to review tne stewarasnip oi tnose who tnree years ago were elected to represent the peopie in parliament. A review to-uay may not be out of place, particularly as, in the peculiar circumstances, tnere can De liispassionate thought and non-parti-san consideration. It can be admitted without fear of contradiction tnai we in W'aitomo have been singularly fortunate. Even the bitterest partisan is forced to admit that Mr W. J. Broadfoot has been a tireless worKer, and throughout the difficult periou which our country has passed througn he has played his part worthily and, it can be said, with dignity. In Parliament he has upheld traditional coaes, and in the electorate he has never ceased to give the problems oKue people his -earnest consideration, in national policies he has striven to preserve a wide outlook, and though he may have rendered an independence in outlook and action which did not inseparably ally him with party, he has, nevertheless, won the respect of all except the most bigoted partisans. Here mainiy i s hi s strength, not in the caucus of his party but in the service of the people. He has respected his pledges, but he has not been above upholding principles and urging measures which he believed suited and served the need of the people. It is no secret at all that he has resolutely, and constantly advocated a more progressive though reorganised land settlement policy, even though in doing so. he has been forced into the criticisim of his own party leaders. Similarly, and akin to the proper utilisation of our farming areas, he has diligently attacked the problem of our back-block roads, and his three years' record of service is reflected in a large measure of cooperative result with our local bodies. In the development of secondary enterprises he has. played a notable part, being a keen student and ever watchful of what is happening in the sphere of research- overseas and seeking to utilise tihe latent resources of N.ew Zealand. Gradually and on every possible occasion he has striven to develop public opinion and secure a wider recognition of the value of scientific research as a first step in the more systematic utilisation of mineral and other resources which abound in this Dominion. In the administrative field Mr Broadfoot has insisted upon action, taking up the cause of his electors when official negotiation was in progress. Moreover, and it can be said without fear of contradiction, he has won for himlself a high place in the respect of official .Wellington, since despite his persitency he has cultivated a sympathetic understanding cif administrative problems and procedure. This maintains for him, a ready approach to any problem. Without this, official Wellington is difficult to reach. No higher testimony of a Parliamentary representative's regard in official quarters could have been given than when, a year ago cjr more, a departmental head told a Te Awamlutu audience: "Thank heaven we have not eightjy such memibers ! He comes to ua in a reasonable way, but when he starts colmling we know that until we can be equally reasonable with a yes or a no to him, his coming will be a daily event."

In Parliament itself Mr Broadfoot has upheld the dignity of his electorate. Moreover, in national policy, he has offered much worthy and thoughtful suggestion. When he speaks, which is but seldom when compared with some of the more insistent debaters, he has something to say, and he therefore comlmands respect. The vagaries of the Standing Orders, the rules and precedents of the House are not readily understood. Mr Broadfoot did not stumble into, the error of any hasty, ill-considered introduction to the Speaker's ruling. But when he did speak he had something to say, and throughout the years he has not departed fromi his self-imposed standard!. In this respect there are many in the electorate who do not fully appreciate the value of an experienced representative. Parliament is at best a difficult school, and its lessons have to be learned before the candidate for its privileges in speech can enjoy freedom of expression.

It can be claimed, we think, and in most quarters it will be conceded, that the present Parliament has experienced the most difficult term, that has fallen to the lot of any Parliament in this country; and it can be claimed, also, that no member has come through the ordeal of the past three years with greater respect than has the member for Wiaitomo. Even the keenest partisans in our political groupings will concede to Mr Broadfoot a recognition of his ceaseless effort, his .unflagging zeal, and his constant devotion to the welfare of his country. Retrospect brings recognition; more than that, it wins appreciation.