The Daily Times. The oldest Manawatu journal : Established 1875. FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1884. THE THORNDON ELECTION.

Manawatu Times, Volume X, Issue 1209, 28 March 1884, Page 2

The Daily Times. The oldest Manawatu journal : Established 1875. FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1884. THE THORNDON ELECTION.

+ A gkeat deal of interest is felt throughout the colony m the approaching election for Thorndon. Mr Levin was a consistent supporter of .the Atkinson party. His vote was to be rejie.d on m any party division but at the same Jame he ex* ercised just sufficient mdepenftenoe, and voted against the M: iistry on minor matters sufficiently often, to be esteemed by both parties. Who Is to talje his place? Mr Dwan's candidature,which ia announced.is one of those jokes that gentleman perpetrates from time to time. The Thorndon people are not likely to put tip with him. Dr Newman has announced himself as a candidate, and he is sure to make serious work of the election, If hard canvassing and diligent electioneering can secure a seat Dr Newman will have one before many years are over, He labors, however, under a serious disadvantage. Bis views are not clear. 'He is apt to place very high importance upon minor matters, and to ignore larger questions. Afc least that was the impression we formed from his candidature for Foxton. It is also a fact that many of Dr Newmans friends m>. Wellington considered he changed his front during the foxton contest from a Ministerialist to a lukewarm oppositionist, and we believe this will materi* ally affect hia candidature for Thorndon. Still, there can be no doubt that m time, when his opinions have settled down, Dr Newman will make a useful poli : tician. Mr Izard is not likely to stand; he will reserve himself for Foxton, and we do n f ot jthink it at all likely Mr Gistlorne (wnb was a member of the Grey Ministry) will consent 1 to be nominated as a candidate for a j&* iiaa moribund P&dJzmonb, &&&

one which may be dissolved a few few weeks after the session has opened. The names of Dr Buller, Mr W. B. Edwards, and other gen^ tlemen have been mentioned, but until something more definite is known as to their intentions reference to their prospects would be out of place. But another and larger question has been raised ; first, by a correspondent of the Post m a forcible letter, and subsequently by the Post itself m its leading columns. It is this : Would not Wellington be securing the highest and best repre-* senration, and would it not honor itself, by electing some leading colonial politician ? The names of Sir W. Fox, Messis Balance, Gisborne, Ormond, and others have been men* tioned. There is strong reason why an attempt should be made to increase the number of leading men m the House ; and from no consti* tuency m New Zealand could such a movement so properly emanate as from Thorndon, m which Parliament Buildings are situated. Selwyn has acted commendably m bursting the bonds of Localism and electing a colonial politician. Thorndon would be doing a service to New Zealand if it followed suit. A man like Sir Jidward Bicliardson, or Mr Ormond, or Mr Ballance, or Sir W. Fox, would be of great service next session m the House, where leading men are bo scarce. But if Thorndon sticks to its party, and considering the influence of theGoverninentin a constituency we believe it will, the best Opposition candidate m New Zealand would be beaten by almost any noodle whose vote would be always at bis party's call provided that party were that now m power. We therefore fear that unless some pronounced Ministerial leader now out of tbe House, e/g., Sir W, Fox, stands, the seat will be fought for on purely local grounds, and by Wellington politicians.