Published: MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS. The Waipukurau Press. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1928 “HONOUR TO WHOM.”

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 289, 21 November 1928, Page 4

Published: MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS. The Waipukurau Press. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1928 “HONOUR TO WHOM.”

In view of the proportionately decisive pro-Liberal vote of the people (unequalled since the Seddonian wave of 1905) and the advance of Official Labour in both town and country constituencies, it can be safely asserted that the Dominion has voted “no-confidence” in the Reform Government. In the circumstance the United Party would be ill advised to coalesce at this stage. Only as a last line of defence against a premature appeal to the people (elections being very costly) should Sir Joseph agree to such a course. By reason of the policy hostility of the Reform leaders towards the side not supposed to be entitled to a place in the political sun—Labour being considered the “ only Opposition Party”—there is no sentimental call to readily share the fruits of success with them. It is noteworthy that only six out of the 80 seats were minus a Reform-pledged candidate, while the Labour Party missed 20, and the United, with strong middleclass and long established claims of once dominant Liberalism (18901912), combined with 10 Country and Independent Oppositionists, no less than 14. It is clear that Labour intervention in the country assists the Reform Party greatly, and Reform-Liberal vote-splitting in the cities aids Labour. The United Party is not represented in Wellington, Christchfirch, or Dunedin. There should be a quid pro quo arranged between the Reform and Liberal parties as to contesting seats held by Labour—or, better still, preferential voting. That over 2000 electors did not record their votes, and that possibly 1000 Liberals voted for Mr Barnard and 1000 for Air Mason tends to show that a strong United candidate could have captured the Napier seat.

The retiring Speaker (Sir Charles Statham) will doubtless be reelected. Sir Joseph Ward, Sir A. T. Ngata, and Messrs Veitch, Forbes, Ransom, W’ilford, Fletcher, Donald, and De la Perrelle, and Polson, Wilkinson, and Atmore (Independents), and Captain Rushworth (Country), with the Hon. J. A. Hanan as leader of the Legislative Council, offer an able Cabinet (proportionate, too, geographically, i.e., 18 seats in the North Island and 11 South) at the head of a generally keen body of businesslike followers. Messrs Cobbe, Broadfoot, and McPherson could fill the posts of Chairman of Committee, and "Whips, respectively. Sir Joseph Ward should be given a fair opportunity, then if defeated by the Opposition a coalition proposal could be considered, or an election take place—for w T hich either Mr Coates or Mr Holland could be held responsible, but the defeat should be based on. some policy feature, and not that the United Party followers do not command the confidence of the greatest number of people—the jump from 12, to 30 seats (including Independents and Country Party supporters) and the votes secured in the 66 contested by Liberals, etc., prove the fact. Put the Labour gains (five) and accession of general voting strength, the largest body of the 49 Oppositionists is entitled to rule. The Holland Labourites or the Reformers will invite popular disapproval if they do more than “w r ag the Liberal tail.”

AUSTRALIAN ELECTION.

Holding the view that the Na-tionalist-Country Party combination in the Australian Commonwealth represents the best Government, from an Imperial aspect, we welcome the election success achieved by Mr Bruce and Dr. Page. It is a compliment to the allied sides in office that all the Ministers have been reelected, and a source of satisfaction to find that the present Government

has a working majority assured. The defensive safety of Australia is complementary to that of New Zealand, and Mr Bruce will find in Sir Joseph Ward an Empire-lover second to none— ; the Dreadnought gift and the~4. military system we enjoy emphasise the lafter’s patriotism. The cause of Impenial unity will not be affected adversely.