THE WANGANUI SEAT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20085, 20 May 1914, Page 4

THE WANGANUI SEAT.

Yesterday's "Dominion" said-—The presence of Mr. F. Piraiii in the contest for the Wanganm seat is certain to assure a v igoroua struggle. His address at Wangrmui last evening shows'that ho has lost none of his old force, and a-; has -always been the case with him he does not move along hackneyed lines r-or in old grooves. Ho is possessed of | the progressive spirit, backed by a practical mm'!, «nd in consequence is able to leave the field of generalities, which "s tho favourite debating ground of so many politicians, and indicate in detail tho manner in which ho would help the world along. Thus, for instance, while so many well-meaning people are talking sympathetically about the necessity for "do'ng something" to improve the lot of the casual wharf worker, Mr.

Pirani comes forward with a definite schfimo for giving practical effect to theso good intentions. He is a cletar and shrewd thinker, and on questions relating to land settlement and education is esiiecially well informed. Indeed, his return to Parliament would, materially strengthen tin* ranks of members wh.) have interested thenigelvra rii educatioual ma.tters, as well as adding « live worker to that much under-rated section of members which rendei-s invaluable service in an unobtrusive way in assisting to knock Bills into shape during their passage though Committee. When in Parliament some years ago no member perhaps was more feared by the late Mr. Seddtm as a detector of flaws in slip-shod legislation, and few indeed would compare with him as a critic when he laid himself out fcr that role. But. he was constructive as well as destructive, and therein lay the cause of much of his success in Parliament. As the Ileform candidate for tho Wanganui sear, he can bo reiied on to make the contest an interesting one to all concerned, and should he prove successful Wanganui will have the livest and ablest member that has represented it since the days of John Ballalce