CHIVALRY IN POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2376, 4 February 1915, Page 7

CHIVALRY IN POLITICS.

Sir, —Your leader on "Chivalry in Politics" this mcruing is amusing reading. Is it tie case that The Dominion is losing its sober common-seuse for petty party politics? 1 was wondering whether, anyone in their senses would bo led by the reasoning of yours this morning. I'o talk of chivalry in politics in New Zealand seems to bo beatiug the air. Some people are sick of the state of politics, or rather, I should say, of some' politicians. It is quite time a new party would arise aad give iu chivalry in politics. None of the present parties seein to command much respect at the 'present time. To come to the particular, you speak of Mr. Statham's generous spirit. I thuik you overlook the fact that the "generous spirit" was contained in that particular deputy returning officer, who by his blundering gave Mr. Statham another chance of winning the seat. By all the rules of the game, his' opponent secured a clear majority at the recent election. The electors of Dunedin Central clearly indicated their choice. I think I am quite safe in saying that in no other country under the British flag could such barefaced methods be pursued except in Now Zealand. In any competent court of law Mr. Munro would have been entitled to the seat. Whoever our next Government may be, it is'to be hoped that they will rise to their duty and send along that compilation of so-called Electoral Acts to the Wellington destructor, and burn the lot. A greater fraud of a system it would be impossible to find. 'Die rest if your, "panegyric" on the virtues of Mr. Statham it would be folly to follow; it would pass very well for a joke, if the present time was a time for jokes.— I am, etc., THOS. M. MILLIGAN. January 27, 1915.