The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1885 Political Associations.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1550, 11 July 1885, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1885 Political Associations.

In a recent issue we discussed at some length the question of Manhood Suffrage, dwelling on the abuses and dangers of a liberal franchise, and pointing out the need of political education. Since then we have had an election in our midst, which has given point to our remarks. A well-tried and able politician, whose ability and integrity were admitted even by his opponents, has been rejected, and a candidate, for whom it was only claimed that he had done no harm, and was a “jolly good fellow,” has been’ chosen. We need not discuss the influences that brought about this result, but, we think, it will be generally admitted that other considerations than the respective merits of the two candidates determined the recent contest for the representation of Wakanui in the House of Representatives. This fact is as deplorable as it ia incontrovertible, and it behoves every having the interests of the district and the interests ot the colony at heart to take some vigorous steps to remedy a condition of affairs that is leading us into disrepute, if not into calamity. We do not contend that this district is any worse in this respect than many others in the colony, but we do contend that it is bad and that there is no need to delay our own reform until the reformation of others shall be complete. We have already urged the formation of a Political Association for the conservation of the rights and privileges of the people, and there can be no doubt that such an Association would prove of immeasurable benefit to the community at large. We do not propose that the Association should be Conservative or Liberal, Protectionist or Freetrade, theoretical or utilitarian—-it may be all, but first and foremost it should be a combination to maintain and enlarge the rights of electors. Surely there is some common platform upon which all bona Jide responsible electors can meet and seek justice to all, and the greatest good for the greatest number. In the past the liberal institutions of this country have been prostituted to sordid presumption, trickery and even fraud; the electoral rolls have been illegally crowded with irresponsible unqualified electors; the tradesman, the agriculturalist, the artisan, the settled laborer, indeed the great bulk of the electors who recognise and observe the responsibility which accompanies a vote, have been outweighed, practically disfranchised, by the tools of unscrupulous candidates. Without wishing to suggest that this outrage involves one candidate more than others, we do protest, and that most emphatically, against its continuance. It is not only the right but it is the duty of every patriotic colonist to bestir himself in reference to this question. We do not begrudge any man the vote the law entitles him to. He may not always use it wisely but, having to suffer for his own mistakes, discretion will come sooner or later. But we do begrudge the vote that is exercised by the man without stake and without standing, the vote that is given without a. care or a thought for results. It is votes of this description that should and can be disallowed. The machinery provided by the Government has signally failed to protect the privileges of electors; it remains for the electors to protect themselves, and this, in our opinion, they can best do by combining—irrespective of politics or men—to resist the encroachments which interested persons have persistently made upon their rights.