THE ELECTION.

Manawatu Times, Volume X, Issue 1240, 10 July 1884, Page 2

THE ELECTION.

TO THE "EDITOR. Sib, — Now that the contest for the Manawatu seat will lie between Mesi s Macarthur and Fraser,l should like with yonr permission to make a few observations. It seems to me, as an outsider, that Mr Macarthur made a mistake iv only consulting Messrs Snelson and Linton, as to who should stand for the Manawatu seat, the proper course, I think, wou'd have been for the Mayor to call a public meeting I and get the electors then to decide who should be asked to be nomina* ted. Had this course been followed I think it would have met the views »f all parties. In consequence of an error being made it has caused jealouey and hence hurried opposition. Now that a mistake has been made on both sides it is the duty of every elector who has the interest of the colony at heart to consider well the merits of the different candida* tes and vote for theablest man, so that there may be no cause for regret when too late. Considering our falling revenue and too heavy ta ration, the coming Parliament will require to have the ablest men returned to assist m extricating the colony from 'the state" m which it is. Such being the case common sense dictates that friendship is one thing and politics another. The eulogiuras passed on the different candid date* by their supporters are no < criterion, and as party spirit generally runs high at these meetings ' what is said m support of the candidate as to fitness to be a member of the House of Representatives ought to be received with a great dea.l of reservation. ' - J. am, &c, "J. %. HEATON[Our porresponpept apparently f or* '• gets the position m which Mr Macarthur was situated before commencing this contest. It has already been explained that be did not con* suit two men only as has been stated, but that he endeavored to ascertain the feeling generally. But the position before him was, that, m consequence of local jealousy haying played its part before, the se*it was 'taken \by an outsider. It was desira 61e to preyent' a repitition of this evil, and to attain, this object 1 ;Mr consulted alj who were likely to conijest the seat. In regard to the two specially jne_»< tioned by him, he stated he pro--1 mised them his support if they instended to stand, but both declined and stated they would support hira. Hence his present candidature and their active support. We hail it as good sign when our public men are willing to sacrifice their own prospe'c-B of a seat m the Legisla*turefbrth'e purpose of securing the return of a local man. Th'e dis- : trict has suffered long' enough by being a pocket borough for an out- . sider. Its public men have hitherto been heavily' handicapped by this but we triist there will not be a res petition 'on this occasion. -rr Ed. M.D.T.] '" ' '' •' ; '' ; ■;