LADY ADVOCATE

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 259, 3 December 1929, Page 8

LADY ADVOCATE

PRIA1E AIINISTER'S DAUGHTEIl ENTERS POLITIC AL FIELD. • THE HUTT BY-ELECTION. An unusual fcatnre of tbe Hutt byclection, to take place 011 December 18, bas beeu tbe entry of a woman. into tbe campaign. Alrs B. B. AYood, daughter of tbe Prime Alinister, Sir Josepb AVard, spoke to a meeting of ladies at Petone on belialf of Air J? Kerr, tbe United candidate. Alrs Wood said tbat wonien had an important influence in politics if tbey cliose to exercise it, for tbe women, votci's of tbe Dominion were nearly as numerous as the men. The history of tbe Liberal Party, whose work was now being carried on by the United Government, clearly showed tbat tbe interests of women had exereised a very important influence on tbe legislation wbich it had placed on tlie Statute Book. In the Hutt by-election tbey coukl face tbe figbt with every confidence because tbe United Government in its very first session had made great progres.s in carrying out its programme submitted to tbe electors^ at tbe last General Election Alrs Wood mentioned the extra financial assistance given tbrougb tbe State Advances Office to enable people to obtain bomes, and said tbe United Government bad wiped out tbe heavy arrears of applic-ations tbat were on hand wben in took oflice. Alrs AVood reviewed tbe Ipng list of beneficent eiiactments passed by tbe Liberals since the time wben tbey first caxne into power in tbe earlv 'nineties, including tbe State Advances system, old age pensions, tlie Health Department (establisbed by Sir Josepb Ward), and said that tlie Reform Government bad never veutured to interfere witb tbe Liberal Government' s pvogramme of tbe humanities. Tn unanimously asking Sir Josepb Ward to take tbe leadership of tbe United Party, tbat party showed itself fully imbued witb tbe spirit of tbe okl Liberalis.il, and its first session's work gave_ evidence tbat onee more tbe Dominion was going to make progrcss along tbose lines. AUCKLAND COAIAIENT. Couimenting on the election the Auckland Sun says, "Tlie general election last November ' left New Zealand politics in a very uncertain position. But for the tendency of present-day politicians to place tlieir tenure of their seats above tbe problem atical benefits to be secured from displays of party defiance, tbere is no reason to believe tbat in sucb a dehcately-balanc-eu positiou tbe Parliament as now constituted would bave even survived tbis year's session. As it liappened every manoeuvre by tbe parties in opposition was only carried to a certain stage. "Tbe importance of by-elections in tbe present circumstances is that, though tacit alliances may permit tbe parfcies to maintain tbeir position while tbeir strengtli remains as it is, any readjustment. even tbat involved by a change :n only one coiistitueucy, may bave a iar-reacbing bearing 011 tbe wliole political situation. J11 tbe case of tbe Hutt seat, Air Wilford's resignation to take over tbo High Commis sionsbip present tbe United Party with Ihe distinct probability of tlic loss of a seat. It is true tliat Air "Wilford, a stauncb Liberal, bas beld it under tbe Liberal colours tor a eonsiderahie nuinber of years, but at recent elec tions liis majorities liave been impa'-i-ed. Furtbenuore, tbere was a strong element of personal triumpb in eacb of Air AYilfoi'd's successive victories. He 15 a popular and affable personali y, always elosely identified witb bis district. lu sucb circumstances tbe removal of a man with sucb a bold 011 an important taciical position must nudoubtedly bave caused bis party leaders some concern before a decision was (inallv made. "Tbe contost preeTpifated as a result bas been simplified by tbe retire^ ment of Air H. D. Beunett wbo, stand ing. as be liad proposed to do, as an Indepemlent, would liave been an umcomfoff able complication for tbe Reform Party. As tliings stand now, eacb of tbe parties is represented Ly a strong candidate, witb Air Johostone, tbe Reform candidate, perba,s Ihe strongest, if only by virtue of bis position and attainments. Afr Kerr, Ihe United Party's represenlative in wbat will unquostionably Iie a barl fought field, will coinmaud so many votes in tbe tbiekly-Kettled part of tbe eectorate — tbat is. in Petone — tbat Le may be a distinct embavrassnient to Labour. Ncvertlieless, in view of tbe stead.y industrialisation of tbe electorate and bis past perfonnances against Air Wilford, Air Walter Nasb, tbe Labour candidate. seems tbe "favourite" at tbis early stage." CAPTAIN RUSHWORTH WELLWrSHER. Afr Nasb, tbe Labour candidate, npeued bis campaigu 011 Tbursday evening, He liad a most 'successful meeting. No questions were asked. and the candidate was accorded a unaninious xote of thauks and confideno'n Air P. Fraser, AI.P. for Wellington Central, announced that he bad iceeived tbe following telegram from Air H. Al. Rwshworlb (Country Party, Bav of Islands) : "Best of go nl wislfos for a successful jssue of tbo figbt upon wbicli you are engaged."