The Waikato Times. With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. SATURDAY, MAY 5, 1923. THE OAMARU ELECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15230, 5 May 1923, Page 4

The Waikato Times. With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. SATURDAY, MAY 5, 1923. THE OAMARU ELECTION.

The victory of Mr Macphcrson in the Oamaru election has been described as sensational, which seems to be a somewhat excessive term. The truth is that people thought that after Mr Massey's victory at Tauranga he must be invincible in electioneering and could guarantee victory anywhere. When the second election conducted b> Mr AJasscy went against him the surprise was great, has been written about in exaggerated terms. The Liberal organs sec in it an indication that the country is turning towards their party. The Reform papers attributo Mr Lee's defeat to the feeling against the man who appeals against the decision at the polls. Mr Massey, who did not take the defeat in the sporting spirit he recommends to others, complains that a number of electors from outside were placed on the roll owing to some weakness in the Act. We can believe that this took place, but not that all such importations were on one side, when the election was being run by such a pastmaster. Our own explanation of the unexpected size of the majority is that people resented the continuous presence and activity of the Prime Minister. It is one thing to deliver a policy speech in aid of a candidate, and no one would take exception to such a course; but when a Prime Minister leaves the business of the country for weeks while he conducts one election after another it cannot be matter for wonder that people talk. If is very desirable, that we should have a Government with a working- majority, but even a victory at Oamaru would not have given that. It would have enabled the party to remain in office though not in power, and this they may stilt be .able to do, but it will not be to the advantage of the country. Meantime the weeks spent in electioneering will delay the session, or at least the production of the Budget and of the business part of the proceedings. Mr Massey does not apparently realise that it is the lack of business methods that has disappointed so many of his supporters. The feeling is not personal, although such actions as those at Tauranga and Oamaru may well cause it to become such, i Among the questions that will be settled by the Oamaru decision is that of representation at the Economic Conference. We have always held that tho Prime Minister is not the man who should attend conferences. His presence is required in his own country, and this holds good of other Dominions as well. The idea that a country can only be represented by its Prime Minister is entirely opposed to modern methods, and is an absurdity that only holds its ground because it. was practiced during war. Whether it was an advantage then we shall probably never know, but wc can all see that it would be a disadvantage now. We still believe that a Prime Minister is an important item in the machinery of government, although Mr Massey's continued absence from Wellington might create doubts. If, however, the Prime Minister has important functions to fulfil he should be in the country. If he. must go Home, the acting Prime Minister should be clothed in full authority. The queslion of representation at Home is not the only one which presses for settlement. The Cabinet must be reorganised now that Mr Lee is out. of the House, more especially if one of his collcasuca la deputed to go to

London. Then again, there should be an attempt made to deal with the licensing question. There has been no word of any intention to do so, but i l , is required, and some sort of promise that it would be done was made before the election. It is not the kind of question that a G-overnment would choose to bring forward when the party majority is so small, but if the Government elect to hold office without going again to the country they should make an effort to deal with the necessary business. The truth is that it is a misiake to try and carry on without a working majority, and it constantly places a Government in a position which does not help them. We are always told that proportional representation is unworkable because It would not give any parly a decisive majority, but we see for ourseives that this difficulty can equally arise with the antiquated system of first past the post. Mr Massey should have dealt with the question of representation before the election while his maI jority was still adequate. Proportional representation may, of course, be one out of many systems, and if it be installed with any view to obtaining party advantage it can only be a disappointment. There is reason to be thankful that Oamaru is the last of the elections. The spectacle of a fight to'retain office, even though it bq without power, is not. edifying. A keen struggle is admirable, and betokens some interest on the part of tho constituency, oven though much of it be merely personal. When, however, the struggle is continued for months all admiration for it disappears. The activity of the Prime .Minister, again, is not'for the advancement of any political principle, but merely that he may continue to hold office. Mr Massey will be well advised not to undertake any such canvassing expeditions in the future, for they somewhat detract from the high consideration which he has enjoyed so long. The whole episode is unsavoury and we are glad it has come to an end.