INFORMATION WANTED.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12541, 12 May 1915, Page 4

INFORMATION WANTED.

(Lyttelton Times' Correspondent.) Wellington. May 11. "One may safelv prophesy that the Opposition will seek information about the Bay of Islands election, which has been d'eclared void by two Judges of the Supreme Court, says the.Evening Post. "Their dec'sion lias punished Mr Vernon Reed bv disqualifying him for V2 months, and this penalty, will necessarily make h'im feel keenly the gravity ol- his -electioneering offence. The main charge proved asramst him to the satisfaction "of the Court, was that he used the offer of a seat .in the Legislative Council as an inducement to Mr Wilkinson to leave the field, clear for a duel between Mr Reed and Dr To Rangihtroa. 'An offer of a Legislative. Counedlorship to M.r Wilkinson naturally prompts the question, 'To what exent is the Government eulnable?' The evidence docs not establish indubitably a 'Government backing for Mr 'E : ee'd-'s conduct, but it nuts the Government in. a position which calls for explanation. Aii average reader, may form an opinion from the evidence that in 1913. 'as the result of ; overtures in which Mr Reed had al>art. the. Ministry was apparently, willing to consider the matter of appointing Mr . Wilkinson to the Upper "House. . That time was remote from the general ©lections, but it was well 'known, in the electorate that Mr Wilkinson had not abandoned his' in-tention-to try again for a place-in the Lower' Housed Mr Reed bad submitted that North Auckland was entitled to ■representation, on the Council 1 , and/.bis first preference, he .stated in Court, wit-! Mr Johnson. However, Mr Wilkinson was eventually put forward as a suitable member, but be did. not wish to'bave such greatness thrust npon ,bim in- that manner. The case against the. Government in the public view is that in 1913 it. seemed willing to have an awkward problem solvedby. opening the portals of the Legislative. Council, to Mr Wilkinson. Between the original 'Reformer' and. the converted: 'Reformer' the Government's I'ot wa? pa.lpablv unhappy. '-. How much did th is predicament, influence the Government's attitude in 1913 and: later, on? That is the'very important question to which the people await an answer. In 1911, when the Masse v. party, stood ■on a platform of reform, one r>lan.k was. a remodfclHnig of the Legislative. Council, - the changing of the old much-, abused nominativa system. On present appea'ranees- tlife.it profession seems a misfit with- the Wilkinson case, even on. the basis of c-vents in 1913, but before passing final judgment on the Government's part in a- case which has aii ugly-complexion, the Post will wait for further necessary evidence.'.'