The Evening Star. MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 247, 24 October 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1870.

" Evebt thing is fair in love, politics, and war." So well-known is this maxim that we fancied few could be misled by an election canard. It has not been merely rumored, but asserted broadly, that Mr. Gillies will not accept the requisition from the electors of Auckland City West. And we have pleasure in being able authoritatively to give the statement a distinct denial. Mr. Gillies did at the first raising of the subject express disinclination to being brought forward in opposition to the sitting members. It

motive, that Mr. Gillies, as migbt have been expected of him, expressed this unwillingness—a feeling creditable to that gentleman, but which has been used wrongly against his candidature. The subject of personal feeling or political etiquette cannot weigh with electors whose vital interests are bound up in having the best and ablest representative of their interests that can be obtained ; and Mr. Gillie 3 very properly will not allow feelings to operate in face of the general call from the citizens, to take upon him the burthen of their interestsin Wellington. As an unfair ad vantage has thus been taken of the expression of a feeling highly becoming and honorable to Mr. Gillies, should he now decline to stand in answer to the requisition about to be presented to hira, we have no hesitation in saying that it will be similarly wrongly attributed to a fear of defeat.

Against Mr. John Williamson we have not a word to say. He has served his country honorably and well ; and his country has honorably made a comfortable provision for his declining years, and all men have 9aid, " Well done !" But he should not return to scenes of turmoil ; but in the privacy of home and peace should wear the laurels he has honorably won. We ai*e convinced that those who like Mr. Williamson best, and wish disinterestedly for his own good, would strongly advise him to this course ; and we unhesitatingly say that those who urge him on to the conflict are not consulting his interests, but have " got an axe to grind." It was generally understood when he received from his country a reward for good service done ia the shape of a comfortable provision, that his acceptance of it was a retirement from public life. His returning to Wellington for the last session of a lengthened Parliament, was looked on as natural and reasonable, but that he should be urged on to fling away for ever the provision which he has worthily won, and begin anew the uphill fight of politics with heavy odds against him, simply shows that he has bad advisers. We suppose every one knows that by the legislation of hut session he is precluded from holding his position of profit under the Crown if takiDg his seat in the House of Representatives, and the only prospect that his advisors can present as a substitute is the position of a Cabinet Minister. Of course we have no right to express an opinion on these subjects ; but, as it will, doubtless, be said against the' supporters of Mr. Gillies

that they are urging that gentleman to unkindness, we merely show that those who urge Mr. Williamson to the contest are his bitterest enemies, and that all who unite to defeat his candidature—if he stands—are his true friends. The requisition to Mr. Gillies, though not yet completed, is as overwhelmingly influential a9 was that to 'Mr. Vogel. And, as Mr. Gillies holds his decision in reserve, and wholly untrammelled, until the requisition is presented, he must: be convinced that if he declines it he will be doing a'slight to the strong wishes of the citizens of Auckland. We trust that those who have the interests of the city at heart will show their determination to reward our earnest pushing public-spirited Superintendent, and ft the same time confer an honor on the city, by associating the noblest movements in the House of Representatives with the name of the " hon. member for Auckland City West."