THE OAMARU ELECTION.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2497, 16 February 1871, Page 2

THE OAMARU ELECTION.

To the Editor of the Bernina Star, Sir,—l have just seen the following paragraph in your issue of the Bth mat.; ‘' Election Practices —We do not know a more disgraceful feature in electoral morality than that of inducing a gentleman to offer himself a candidate by promising to support him, and failing to fullil the promise at the day of election. It ought to be considered that a candidate’s time and money shou'd not be carelessly wasted by those whom, in answer to their invitation, he consents to serve ; but this is ready the result of asking him to offer hanself, and then breaking faith with him. None can read the following explanation by Mr Julius without the conviction than Air Alacaasey was vilely treated at Oamaru.” Were the premises correct, I should not take exception to the conclusion ; but it is only fair to say that many of those who signed Air Maoasaey’s requisition did so under the bell f that they were merely asking that gentleman to come forward and explain hj s political views, and many more in entire ignorance that any other candidate was in the field. As to Mr Julius’s “ stronglyworded pledge,” several electors never read it, and signed the requisition, as people often sign similar documents, carelessly. As one of the electors of Oamaru. and not a member of Air Steward's Committee, 1 am unwilling that the whole constituency should lie under the imputation of a breach of faith, when in a number—indeed, the majority—of in tances none such was committed. I am, &c., Thomas Puoctou. Royal Hotel, Oamarn, February 13.