"BUSINESS MAN’S” REPLY TO MR COLLEY’S ANSWERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3637, 25 September 1912, Page 5

"BUSINESS MAN’S” REPLY TO MR COLLEY’S ANSWERS.

(TO THE EDITOR.)

Sir —lt is one of the usual methods adopted by persons who are seeking public support t.; try and mislead or mistifv the Burgesses, and Mr Colley’s 'replies, though not as satisfactory as I expected them to bo, nevertheless with what weapons lie has placed at my disposal, I intend to use to the host of my ability. (1) He states •‘yes.’.’ koir. Sir by that statement he has committed himself to an unroconcilablo position ; by Jiis admission he brands himself >. “Sheridanite.” At the same time, Sir, not a month ago ho stated to the writer that lie supported Mr Lysnaland his administration. Now, Sir, how is ho able to substantiate bis present position ? Mr Sheridan, as we all know is a sworn opponent of 31 r Lj’snar s administration, and 3lr Coll'cy, John Sheridan’s candidate,-is therefore diametrically opposed to each other, it they are to be believed. Now, Sir, how can the ratepayers possibly believe a man who, because 3. Sheridan requested him to stand, should take a complete somersault and have no mind ot lr.s own? Where is Mr. Colley s vaunted boast, he shall carry out "my duty fearlesslv without fear or favor? His' attitude at the present juncture is not one to commend itself to any one who wants the Borough affairs put upon a

sound basis, I among many think it tho position of a very weak man. By that admission of his he has, to those who see below the surface of things, that he is to become, if elected, the tool of John Sheridan. Now, Sir, this is a nice position fora man to put himself into. -(3) His reply, “It is a fact,” proves to be exactly the opposite. If Mr Sheridan and a dozen others asked him to stand as their candidate, as lie stated they did, then is not J. Sheridan a person and is not J. Sheridan and a dozen more a party. Therefore if J. Sheridan and a dozen men are supporting him, his advertisement is not true, and h© is tho nominee of a person and a party. (4) This answer is no answer at all. Mr Colley’s reasons for not giving a straight forward answer is because he is afraid of offending some of his supporters, who are Pettieites, and is desirous of running with the hares and then with the hounds. (5) This answer is worse than none at all, as it shows he is not competent to grasp municipal politics. Now, Sir, municipal politics is but the broader aspect of ordinary, business, while it is a limitation of national politics. No one who has any knowledge of politics will deny that the head of the Government is held responsible for this legislation and his administration. The same applies to local matters, the head of our civic life is responsible in like manner to the ratepayers, and Mr Colley has no ability or is afraid to tackle the question, which would give him entirely away. (6) We all know that the Council should govern, but the peculiar position is that the Engineer is the controller, instead of being controlled. (7) The only answer at all satisfactory. Now, Sir. to sum up the position : It is essential for the ratepayers to have a representative who will look after affairs in a proper manner, and not as. Mr Colley poves to be with no mind of his own and who could not protect our interests. The present state of affairs are such that we must have strong, capable men to square things up and thoroughly investigate the whole of the city corporation undertakings and administrations and where weakness and extravagance, is, to grasp tho position of affairs and have them rectified at once, and put things on a new and sound basis. I trust the burgesses will roll up strong and vote for Dr. Collins, who has a thorough grasp of municipal matters, and is unquestionably a strong man and will take strong measures to put things right, and he has come forward at this critical juncture to square matters up and therefore conserve the interests of tho ratepayers and burgesses. —I am, etc.. “BUSINESS MAN.”