The Daily Times. THE OLDEST MANAWATU JOURNAL. ESTABLISHED 1875. TUESDAY, JUNE 24. 1884.

Manawatu Times, Volume X, Issue 1226, 24 June 1884, Page 2

The Daily Times. THE OLDEST MANAWATU JOURNAL. ESTABLISHED 1875. TUESDAY, JUNE 24. 1884.

A sew days ago it seemed as though the Manawata election was likely to $r_oyo a yery tame affair, but it is gjtaeed beyond a doubt tbat there 'rfr^ % .GO^test, and probably a very keen one. An^ong the candidates who have been mentioned a# likely to stand are Mr Macarthur, Sir Julius Yogel, and, m the event of the latter not coming forward, Dr Buller. It was also rumored that a refluisjltion would probably be got up t §ir George Grey to contesib .t^ie .eljepfciQU, %f Sjr Julius Yogel declined -to do %Q f Qiie'fy^ geenjs very certain, and that is thaV fcb;._ electors will not let the seat go too cheap, hut are determined to have a contest. Without m any way alluding to the claims of any of the candidates mentioned we may say that this is as it should be. The •pphtical situation is an exciting one, and upon the result of the coming

elections tho welfare of tho colony will depend for sofme time to come. At such a juncture it would argue but little for the intelligence or poli« cal life of tlie constituency if any candidate, even of colonial reputa* ciou, wore allowed a walk-over. Nor would tho •winner be likely to set much value upon the honor ; it is only the difficult of attainment that is valued. So far the electors are m the dark as to the views of any of the gentlemen referred to. It is not known, for instance, whether Mr Macarthur's platform is to he a Ministerialist, Opposition, or an Independent one — though it will most likely be the last mentioned. ■Considering that the present state of the colony is mainly due to the bad management of its affairs by the Continuous Ministry, and that this district has been shamefully ignored by it, we cannot conceive that any candidate will be insane enough to seek election as a supporter of the Atkinson party, while the fact that Sir Julius Yogel will be the only capable leader of the Opposition.will prevent Mr Macarthur casting m his lot with them — if he has to contest the seat with Sir Julius. Under these circumstances nothing would remaiii for Mr Macarthur but to run as. an Independent candidate. The electors, we feel sure, are somewhat anxiously awaiting the publication of the views of the various candi* dates which will probably take place immediately after the writs are issued. To a certain extent Sir Julius Vogel's views are known. On all colonial questions his attitude was well defined m his Ashburton speech, and his past career also af» fords the electors a means of judging of his future work. In a very few days, however, the electors will have an opportunity of acquainting themselves with the claims of each candidate for support, and until thai time arrives we shall express no opinion one way or another. The present is not a time for personal feelings to have play, or our course would be plain. We trust the elecs tion will be fought ont fairly, that personalities will be avoided, and that m the end the losers will accept the inevitable with good-grace.