ASHBURTON ELECTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1657, 8 September 1887, Page 2

ASHBURTON ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — The Bpproaohing eleotion is evidently engrossing the attention of all olasaes of the community, and the merits or otherwise eF each candidate aro being fully discussed by both Bides aa to which will be the best to represent this important district m the next Parliament ; bat I think, air, tlio eleotora should not have mach difficulty m selecting the proper man for th b important duty. Mr Walker, the late worthy member, haß done good service for this diairlot m the pait, and he is etill ready and willing to aarve 'hi elects again, and I think It is very unjust on the put of some of Mr ParneH'a eupportera to try to establish a false aharge against Mr Walker by stating that ho was instrumental m bringing the unemployed from Ohrlstchurch to work on the Mount Somcra railway at a time when there was a large number of men out of work m this town. However, this statement is Bimpiy untrue. Mr Walker had uothing to do with bringing the unemployed from Ohristohuroh. It was the Minister for Public Works, « Ohristohurch man, that Bent those men to work on the Mount Soraera railway, and he did so without even consulting Mr Walker m the matter. If any man m the County of Ashburtr>n can contradict this let him do so openly, for I maintain, air, that it is not right to leave the sins of another man at Mr Walker's door. Now a few words to the Oathollo electors of this dlstriot, that is m onse any of them intend to vote for Mr Purnell. What has Mr Purnell promised to do for you 1 Has he promised to bring forward a Bill himself to advocate your cause, or has he merely told you that he sympathised with you, and admits the justice of your claim to a portion of the Education grant ? If this is the only thing he has promised, how could you expeot to better your cause by retnrning Mr Purnell instead of Mr Walker ? But your answer may be, Mr Walker is a supporter of the Government, snd Mr Purnell is not ! But remember what Mr Walker Baid when speaking at the hustings the day you returned him at the last eleotion. He told you that he would not support the Government on any question whatever, if he did not consider it was for the benefit of the people at large and his constituency. Some of you may say — Has kept his promise 1 I say yes, and m a very important matter concerning the Catholics. When Mr Guinness, the member for Greymouth, brought his motion before the House, asking that free passes might be granted to Catholic children to attend their schools by train m the same way that children attending the State schools had passes, the Goyernment opposed the motion wif»h all their might, but Mr Walker, our late member, was at his post, and voted for the motion as a measure of justice to the Catholics, and not with the Government. The motion was carried and became law, bo that a member who gave his assistance m this important matter to the Oathclio caase, cannot be considared an undeviating Bupporter of the Government. This is what the Catholics have to consider at the present moment. They will do well to remember that Mr Walker has made many friends m the House, and that his vote carries influence with it. — I am, etc One of thb PaorLßi