The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1887. THE ELECTIONS.
indication that Sir Robert's liberal
views had ceased to animate him. By persistently instilling this into the mind of the electors, the relations between the electors and their representative became somewhat strained, and then an Opposition candidate, a man of wealth and influence, was brought out and eventually their object has been effected. Let us hope that it will be but for a time, and that Sir Robert will follow the example set m the Old Country by statesmen of high repute under similar circumstances, and accept the retirement of some loyal supporter m order to contest the election for the vacancy thus caused. We are very glad to learn that m the colony there are similar instances of self-sacrificing supporters, who are willing to postpone their ambitious views to the interests of their own party. It is to be hoped that Sir Robert will not, Achilles-like, remain sulking m his tent because his love has been filched awaj by another, just at a time when his country has so much need of his services.
Though the result of the general election has not been so favorable to the Ministeral party as might have hpen expected, Canterbury has declared well for the Government, fifteen out of the nineteen constituencies having returned staunch supporters. In no electorate has there been such an enthusiastic demonstration m lavor of the Government policy as m our own district of Ashburton, where the Ministerial candidate Mr Walker, was returned by the largest majority recorded, over the Oppositionist, Mr Purnell. The latter gentlemen was too heavily handicapped alltogether to have the slightest chance of success. He is an uutried man, whereas his opponent was a representative of the district for several years, arjd one who had faithfully served his constituents, m the past. He had also the additional disadvantage of coming out on the Opposition platform, with which the great bulk of the electors have not the slightest sympathy. In the adjacent electorate, the result of the election took most of the electors by surprise. Here an untried man, Mr Buxton, a practical farmer of many years standing m the district, whose unblemished character had raised him high m the estimation of his brother elector, beat that veteran statesman, the Hon. W. Rolleston, by a large majority. It seems strange that a mere tyro m politics should have beaten so prominent a statesman — one who for some five and twenty years had had a voice m the Government of the country. But the cause is not far to seek. Had he dissociated himself from the party with whom he was formerly allied, which course, his diverging views on the Land and Education questions would certainly have entitled him to adopt, and come out as a thoroughly independent candidate there is not the slightest doubt that his abilities and large experience of public affairs would have ensured his return. A sentement of loyalty to his party has most assuredly cost him his seat. In the Waimate district Major Steward, a staunch and loyal Ministerialist, polled more votes than the two Opposition candidates together. In the adjoining electorate of Gladstone Mr Twomey, the Ministerial candidate, ran Mr Rhodes, an Oppositionist, very closely, But his opponent's wealth and large landed interest told against him. The most regrettable feature of the contest is the defeat of Sir Robert Stout for Dunedin East. It must be remembered, however, that the late political contest was virtually one of capital v labour, and m such a warfare the belligerents are not particularly fastidious m the use of weapons they employ. Sir Robert was to be defeated, and defeated at any cost. The organs of the capitalists and importers saw it would be a difficult task to effect a breach between Sir Robert and his constituency by attacking his policy, so they hit upon the use of a subtle poison. It will be remembered that some time ago Sir Robert received from Her Majesty a well earned reward for his distinguished public services m the offer of a Knighthood. . Loyalty and courtesy to his sovereign compelled Sir Robert to accept the proffered honour, This was seized upon' by the Opposition organs as a useful lever whereby to dislodge Sir Robert from his high position m the esteem of his con* 6titusnts, and they represented it as an
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG18870927.2.5
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1673, 27 September 1887, Page 2
Word count
Tapeke kupu
737The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27,1887. THE ELECTIONS. Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1673, 27 September 1887, Page 2
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.