THE BALLOT BOX

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19663, 24 August 1935, Page 9

THE BALLOT BOX

NOTES FROM THE HUSTINGS.

(By ‘‘Scrutineer.”)

|Hats and No Hats. Sinoe our reference to the headgear of a potential M.P. In this column last week, it seems that the wearing or not wearing of hats has caused something of a stir in at least one electorate. The voters of Waitomo, wo learn, are now classifying candidates by their willingness, or otherwise, to tolerate the wearing of hats at their meetings. * * * * Diplomacy! “ Although he had voted for the high exchange rate he did not believe In it.’ . . . . “He was standing now as an Independent." .... "Although a supporter of the Government, he was unpopular with iL and would vote as he liked." . ..." He was not a Douglas Credit supporter, but he admired those connected with the Douglas Credit movement." . ..." He objected to party politics and would use his Judgment accordingly.”—The foregoing extracts are from addresses delivered by Mr A. M. Samuel at Thames and Whitianga in the space of about 24 hours. It looks as though the years have mellowed Mr Samuel since the days of his wordy fights with the member for Mataura, Mr McDougall. Anyway, he appears to possess the politician's gift of tactful utterance, that is, to say a great deal and tell the electors nothing. Or is he merely rail-sitting? » * * * Omen of a Handshake. Having been rumoured for the past fortnight the announcement that Mr T. C. A. Hislop, of Wellington, will be the leader of the Democrat Party has now approached the stage of being "definitely understood", if not “confidently anticipated.” Pastmasters in the art of drawing inferences •from omens assert most emphatically that Mr Hislop is the man. And why? Because when the conference broke up Jn Wellington yesterday, all the departing delegates were observed to shake hands with Mr Hislop. 'He that shakoth the hand the most shall be the greatest of them all. Lobbying Journalists have been put to considerable pains to dig up information about the conference, but that is Mr Davy’s wizardry—no doubt on the assumption that if you want publicity, the surest way of getting it is to with-

hold information. * * • • Political Paradox. Mr A. A. McLachlan, who is no stranger to the hustings, has announced his candidature as a National Liberal candidate for the Kaiapoi seat. At the moment we are rather puzzled to find out how he arrived at his terminology. The degrees of Liberalism certainly appear to be infinite. Anyway, here is the "National” variety of the resuscitated plant—or perhaps Mr McLachlan has not realised . that this Is 1935, and not 1925. His contribution to the week’s funny sayings is the comment that Sir Alexander Herdman’s remarks contained too much party bitterness at a time when the utmost co-operation was needed. Queer that Mr McLachlan himself should be proposing to bisect the anti r Labour vote. Perhaps it is not so strange, after all, that this paradoxical gentleman, of the aforesaid “National Liberal" colour, should conclude his manifesto with the remark that there was a need for the complete abandonment of the old party machines.

• * * * The twelfth Plank. The summarised proposals of the Labour Party oonclude with the following: “12 Adjustment of overseas debts in accord with ruling monetary and trade conditions." Just an incidental, of course. But wffiy stop at ■that? Why not readjust world monetary conditions. The isolation of New Zealand’s position should facilitate rather than hinder this noble work, since it would enable a detached survey to be made. * • • • Another Hamilton Candidate. The decision of Mr 11. D. Caro to contest the Hamilton seat in the interests of the Democrat Party brings the number of local candidates up to four. Sir Alexander Young (National), Mr S. C. G. Lye (Independent) and the official Labour nominee, as yet unannounced, but very probably Mr C. A. Barren. Mr Caro attended the Democrat conference in Wellington this week before giving his reply to the deputation which recently waited on him, so apparently the Democrats’ views coincide with his own. We are at least that much further ahead towards learning what the Democrats’ policy Is. * # * * He Who Hesitates. — Mr Davy has informed the besieging throng of newspaper reporters In Wellington that all is well with the Democrat Party. However, the statement promised for yesterday, relating to the leadership and policy of the new parly will not now be forthcoming till Monday. As we have hinted before the public can be kept in suspense too long .... it surely must be a comprehensive, if not complicated policy, which lakes so long to enunciate. Or perhaps, like a leader, a policy is not easy to find. * * * The Art of Repartee.

Those ardent Whigs or perfervid Tories who have been wont lo deplore the present apathy of electorates, are apt to forget that one of the chief reasons for the present dullness of politics and election campaigns, has been the great lack of wit and repartee that has characterised most ol the post-war elections. We remember with fond reminiscence the days of our youth when full-bearded candidates! bedecked in bell-toppers and moleskin trousers, enjoyed—totally irrespective of Party allegiances—triumphal tours through the country dislrl'ts, wherein they dispensed beer and epigrams with ccpial nonchalance and largesse. Yes, indeed, the high privileges of citizenship were more dearly held in those days. Making up one's mind how to vote was a pleasure —not a bore.