SMETHWICK ELECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16983, 20 December 1926, Page 7

SMETHWICK ELECTION.

MOB PSYCHOLOGY. POLITICS IN TIIE BACKGROUND. LONDON, December 18. The Smethwick by-election is providing a new era of electioneering, In which politics'as such have no part except in name. It has become an experiment in mob psychology of an unprecedented kind. This is largely owing to Hie intervention of a section of the press, which is concentrating its efforts to make Mr Oswald Moslcv, the Labour candidate, as notorious as possible. Lady Cynthia Moslcy figures prominently in I lie limelight. It is described as something absurd that she should be associated with the Socialist movement. She and her husband are subjects of political cartoons of quite an unusual character. Her title has been construed into plain "Missus,", while Mr Mosley's father. Sir Oswald Moslcy, Bart., has been dragged in witli a declaration that his son has not done aft honest day's work in his life.

The meetings arc more or less like university "rags." The comments of humble folk' regarding Mr Mosley's social status are widely published. To-day Lady Cynthia was hoisted by a crowd on to a precarious perch on a wall adjoining the Conservative candidate's meeting. The latter chivalrously gave way lo her, but he declared he was not going to strike ids colours at llic bidding of "any aristocratic pirates Hying the P>cd ITag."