THE WAIAPU ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1587, 18 October 1905, Page 3

THE WAIAPU ELECTION.

(To the 'Editor Gisborne .Times.) Sir, —Why did not " Settler*” eigo his nama 2 Because he knows no better and has no higher aims than to use a (political) muck-rake. I am not go'mg to have a pitifni controversy with him, but most of the Waiapu electors do not know the faots as to the Liberal Association and my connection with it, and it will do no harm to givo thorn, though an old story now. I gave my first address as President of the Association on Ist May, 1891, as reported in tha Standard of 6/5/01, and in it I used these words : “ To use onoe more a backi neyed phrase, I hope ‘ measures not men ’ will be our main end. And let me say frankly that if this Association were to degenerate into a mere ogenoy for electioneering purposes, or to be used by or for uay caadidate for his own purposes it would deaervo to bo foraaken.” The Association did useful work for several years , until the 1893 election, when Mr Carroll j i appeared on the scone, Then was realised 'what I had warned the Association against, it degenerated into a more agenoy for electioneering purposes in the interests oi Mr Carroll. I considered the reign of the Associaiion for any good and useful purpose was at an end, aud I and 23 of tbß mombare addressed the following withdrawal to the Association, which was published in the local newspapers : i * [The advertisement, with references that might be actionable omitted, is as follows : „ Gisborne, August 24th, 1893. The Cook County Liberal Association, Gisborne : Gentlemen,—We the, undersigned members, feel constrainod to withdraw from the Association, upon the following grounds:—(l.) Because the Constitution does not lay down any definite specific test for Membership, in consequence of which certain influence was able to flood the meeting on 23rd instant with new members lor the purpose of i l carrying its proposals; and we decline to be dominated by such an influence. (A) Because by that majority the Association has chosen to adopt the unjust and tyrannical doctrine that the minority must either vote in support of the deter* mination of the majority, or, at the least not vote against that determination, which, practically, means disfranchisement. That euch a doctrine subverts the freedom ol electors to determine by the ballot the candidate ot their choice. (3.) Because by tha majority the Association refused to adopt the reasonable proposal made that, in the divided state of opinion as to the candidate, the choice should be settled at the Poll. (4) Because, with the influence at work, it is hopeless to expect the Association to continue to do the useful work it has been able to do in the past ... For these, among other reasons, we resign membership. - We, are Yours faithfully, W. SIEVWRIGHT, President ; and 23 others.] lam compelled to retire; I have a grievance, and am vexing my soul because 1 am not President of the Liberal If Association! A worthy ambition that. I Lord help us all.—Yours etc. V W. SIEVWRIGHT.