ROSS AND CROMARTY BY-ELECTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 12, 15 January 1936, Page 6

ROSS AND CROMARTY BY-ELECTION

yHE situation which has developed in the Ross and Cromarty electorate carries the colour of having been generated by an undesirable type of political vendetta. Not only has the Government been set back by the local Conservative Association, but the Prime Minister's efforts to maintain the national character of his Cabinet have been impaired. It'should be remembered that Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, Avhcn he followed his father and Avent out of the Labour political camp, took a great risk of being removed altogether from the political stage of the United Kingdom. That the action of Air. Ramsay MacDonald and Air. Phillip SnoAvden, and those Avho Avent Avith them, was of great assistance to the United Kingdom in a critical phase of her hisI lory, cannot be doubted. Air. Malcolm MacDonald was among that stalwart band, and Air. Baldwin has recognised the merit of the young- man's conduct by giving him an important portfolio in the Cabinet. His adventure on behalf of the National Party cost him his scat, but that should all the more commend him to the Conservative Association of Ross and Cromarty, and not be held against him. The selection by that association of Air. Randolph Churchill, is on the face of it, putting a premium on the disruptive forces which are operating, and which appear to be moved purely by personal ambitions. The dyed-in-the-Avool Tories of Scotland evidently prefer to carry on old feuds rather than fulfil present loyalties. The action of the Liberal Association in refusing to support Air. Randolph Churchill only confuses still more an already complicated situation. The Avhole situation is regrettable and reveals how unsatisfactory is the outcome of the play of prejudice in place of the exercise of reason. H is more than probable that another member of the famous Marlborough family is to make a contribution to the national life, but it seems regrettable that his entry into the arena slioidd have been marred by so much that is personal in quality. A feud between the Churchills and the MacDonalds is not to the liking of the British peon l ®