POLITICAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2349, 16 November 1908, Page 2

POLITICAL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS

SOCIALISM

“The. “Press,” commenting on the Premier’s assertion with regard to Socialism, rays, “we must stop on this side of safety,-,” and asks whether he can do it, and'where he draws the line between safety and danger. It is all very well for him to say that he means to go 'along the road-to Social ism as far as it is safe to go and no further, but what guarantee have we that the Imaginary lme which Sir Joseph Ward refuses to cross to-day may not gradually be pushed forward? The history of the past lends color to the suspicion that this would happen under the leadership of the Premier ami his predecessor. The country has made step after towards the Socialists’ ideals, and in spite of all Ids present avowed opposition to the views of extremists Sir Joseph Ward is not the man to resist the pressure of a large body of Socialistic followers. A Government that adopts as its guiding the Premier’s assertion is capable of any act of folly suggested to it. If .its supporters want Socialism they must have it, all previous denials notwithstanding. The Premier has dallied with Socialism until he has assisted to create a body of feeling that threatens to become too strong for him to control, lie may yet learn that- it is impossible to stop on the side of safety.

THE MICAWBER SYSTEM. “The Micawber system of finance” is Mr. A. L. Herdman’s phrase- for the Government’s system of raising money by short-dated debentures. He reminded his audience that Mr Alicawber used to hand a promissory note to his creditor and congratulate himself on having paid the debt. THREE BIRDS WITH ONE STON T “The Government expects to drivethe Labor vote when the Labor candidate does not get into the second ballot, to vote for the Government candidate. By this means they kill five birds, or, shall I say three, witl one stone, namely defeat the Opposition candidate, and get the Labor vote in spite of themselves.”—Mi- R. B. Williams, at Wellington, on the ■second ballot.

FAIRLY FAST WORK. -Speaking of Native land legislation Mr Fisher remarked, that o Native Land Bill, of fifty or sixty clauses, usually came before the House late in the session, when members were packing their portmanteaux and studying time-tables. Consequent’y it had a precipitate course through the house. “On one occasion last session,” added Air Fisher, “we put twenty-two Bills through their second reading in thirty minutes. "We thought we were doing smart work; but the Legislative Council ‘buried’ us—they put legislation through and never saw it at all!” (Laughter.) „

THE HAWKE’S BAY SEATS. The -election contests throughout Hawke’s Bay are full of interest, anti the different candidates (remarks tin “Dominion”) are facing the poll witl confidence. ~~ In Napier Mr A. L. D. Fraser is fighting the fight of his political life. If lie wins, his victory will be due to the grip he his obtained from the rlatiorm, but tlie manner in which lie has conducted his campaign hat won distinct admiration. llis opponent, Mr J. V. Brown, has made the advancement of the town his principal object, unel has met with splendid support. There is a complete di vision of parties, and the candidate!, have split fhc Labor and temperance votes. Both candidates are confident, but the probability is that if Mi Fraser does not .hold the seat he will be .defeated by a very narrow majority. Hawke’s Bay has flic distinction of sending one of the largest field. 1 to the poll, the seat being contested by six candidates. A second ballot is assured, but Sir William Russel, who carries the hopes of tlie Opposition party, should win on the first poll. Sir William has the advantage of a long connection with the electorate, and of being an old campaigner. The other candidates are bard* to place, but Mr A. E. J-ull will pok solidly throughout the electorate, and will probably occupy second position. The old member, Mr A. Dijon, has hardly proved equal to the arduous nature of the campaign, but he will probably be placed well up. Air H. lan iSimson has furnished the surprise of the contest, and has met with considerable support in the country. He was yesterday, however, defeated by one vote in a contest for a seat on the County Council, and his chances may be gauged by the wave of this election straw. ’Messrs T. J. Thompson and G. Spencer Clapham have not materially improved then* prospects. In Waipawa there is an even fight between Mr C. Hall and Mr George Hunter. The latter has been most successful in his meetings throughout the electorate, while Air Hall, owing to ill-health, has had to conduct hi? campaign by proxy. This fact leaves the Oppositionist candidate with a sympathetic vote to contend against, but the probability is that Mr Hunter wilil win the scat. 1

THE WAIPAWA SEAT. Air George H-urite.r, the -Oppositionist candidate for Waipawa, is actively prosecuting his political campaign, and the prospects of lais being returned are particularly good. Speaking of Air Hunter, the Napier “Daily Telegraph”’ says:—“Probably one of the most notable signs of the present electioneering campaign in this province is the extremely cordial manner ,in which the candidature of Air George Hunter has been received in the Waipawa electorate. A little consideration will show that this result is not one to he wondered at. Answering to the definition of ‘native son,’ which an the United States is always productive of e.mhusiasrn more, general in character ti-an can be arouseyl by other < sanfioations. Air. Hunter’s whole life speaks for him to the electors whose suffrages he seeks*”

CAPITAL DISCOURAGED. Mr, Herdman ut Wellington the other night giro several instances of tide way in wintii capitalists Mail

deterred from investing in New Zealand by the effects of someof the -Government’s actions. He quoted Mr Justice North, of the High Court or* Justice (England), \vho had said in a certain case that tlie direction which legislation was taking in New Zealand made it undesirable for the mortgagees to bind t-lienise'ives. The candidate -also quoted the “Glasgow Herald” to the -effect that some m; the legislation of New Zealand had had the effect of checking industrial' enterprise. The -action of the New Zealand "and River Plate Land and Mortgage Company in transferring almost all its business- from New Zealand to Argentina was- also instanced by Mr Ilerdmaii.

NATIVE LANDS. Air A. -S. Malcolm, -speaking at Balclutha last week, said that in tlie south as wc'T as in the north no subject demanded more attention than that of the Native lands. Tens of thousands-of men were -anxious to settle on -those lands, but, owing to the fact that our Native Minister was a gentlem-ua who found activity undignified, this opening up that would give Now Zealand a push forward was not brought about. The H-on. J. Carroll was a .great believer in the “tailioa” policy. He would appoint -any number of commissions, but had an intense objection to putting their -findings into effect. He was not the sort of man to carry out a vigorous policy of settling the Native Lands. Of course, there were difficulties, but what was -a Native Department for but to wrestle with those difficulties ?

THE PASS AYE HAVE COME TO

“The essence of leadership is- to follow,” said Mr A. R. Atkinson, enunciating the gospel of politics according to Sir Joseph Ward -it Wellington the other evening. “To hnd out which way the crowd wants to go, and act accordingly, is the pass we have come to in New Zealand politics,” concluded the speaker.

SUSPICIOUS. The indignation of the Prune Minister at every criticism of the finances was referred to -recently by Mr Headman. Mi l IJevdniun claimed for every candidate contesting a scat the right to criticise the financial methods of the country, and show exaet\y what was the truth. If the Government were afraid of the truth, the country was in a sorry plight. If their financial methods were sound, nobody need be afraid, and there was no necessity for the Prime Minister to get in such a state when the financial -administration was criticised. As soon us that attitude was taken up, people began to feel that there must be something behind the scenes, aiad that the statements made were true. INTER-MARRYING OF COUSINS. Some amusement was caused when Air T. W. His lop was asked at AVellington whether he was in favor of the enactment of laws (I) to prevent the hater-marrying of cousins, (2) to' make a successful medical examination a condition precedent to marriage, and (3) to legalise the putting to death of incurable lunatics and badly-deformed children. Replying to the first question. Air liislop observed, amidst laughter, that there was a family at Home the members of which inter-marriecl with their cousins because they were afraid of introducing a tool into, the family. He had, he continued, a great deal of sympathy with the second _ proposal. Probably some day a provision of the kind would lie placed on the Statute Book. With respect to the third question, he might say that his philosophy did not go to the extent of favoring the idea.

RULES OF THE GAME. WHAT THE LAW FORBIDS. In order thaWthe election game an New Zealand nfay be played aosolutcly “on tlae square,” the Legislative has, from- time to rime, made a number of rules. Some of them might be quite inadvertently infringed lay electors who do not study the btatute Book. Hence this fore-warning. NO IMPORTUNITY AT THE BOOTHS.

Nobody must- in any way interfere with an elector on Ins way to the polling booth, oa’ alter lie gets there, lor thepurpose- of influencing him oa- advising him as to liis vote, either at tlie electoral or licensing poll. . The printing ancl distribution of mock ballot papers (Parliamentary or licensing) containing directions “how to vote” is forbidden not only on polling day, but also during the tiiree days immediately preceding it.

NO DEMONSTRATIONS ALLOWED. While the poll is being taken nobody is allowed to make any public demonstration about it. There must be no display of living figures, effigies, paintings, placards, or anything -of the sort dux-ing polling lioiars. “Bands, torches, iiags, banners, cockades, aubbons, oi' other marked distinctioia” are not expressly tabooed, but anyone who pays, or contracts to pay for such things for the purpose of promoting the election of a. candidate is liabcl to a maximum fine of £IOO. Tlie exhibitng of bills, addresses, or notices is in the same category, and these clauses are not confined to election day or any specified period. No money must be paid by anybody for conveying electors to or from the poll, by train, steamboat, or carriage. It will surprise people to learn that every person who “makes -any wager, bet, or other risk -of any nature upon the -result of any election” is guilty of on illegal practice ,and is liable to a fine' not exceeding £2O. THE HALF-HOLIDAY. All shops which require to close in the ordinary way on Tuesday or Saturday aftenijoon ’ must close on tlie afternoon?--of the polling day (nexs Tuesday) instead. Factory owners need not close or give the half-holiday, but arc required to give an hour’s leave in oa-cler that their employees may have the opportunity to vote. - No intoxicating liquor may be sold on any licensed premises between 12 o’clodlc noon and 7 in the evening on election day . The above rules may be found sot out in legal terminology in the Legislature Act and Licensing Act, together avtih. clauses about the grosser 9|§UQC§ of iutjjuid-auoa,

personation, and* the like,, and other mat-levs which affect the candidates and -officials rather than tlie voting publ in.

THE CANDIDATES’ DEPOSIT. A Parliamentary candidate who fails to poll one-fourth of the totalnumber of votes polled by the success-ful-candidate forfeits his £lO- deposit. But will the votes of the successful candidate'' be counted for this purpose at the first -or the -second ballot, if. any? This qucsliorrhas been raised, but will' -probably not bo authoratively settled until an actual case, has to be decided. The Second Ballot Act throws no light upon it.