The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING, GISBORNE, SEPT. 80 1905.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1572, 30 September 1905, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING, GISBORNE, SEPT. 80 1905.

THE WATAPU CONTEST. The campaign for the Waiapu seat haß begun in real earnest. A few months ago it seemed as if the Hon. J. Carroll would have a walk-over j but the trend of affairs has now put “a very different face on things, and while the district's member is tied closely to his duties at Wellington Supreme efforts are being made to oust him from the position which he has so long held. The election bids fair to be one of the most interesting in the colony, although there may be quite a different story to tell when the numbers go up. Mr H. H. Wall is preparing for the fray, and commences his series of addresses next week. Following the example set by Mr Lissant Clayton he is commencing to beat up the outer districts, the chief centre of the electorate being left in each case until some later period. These tactics are of course quite fair, and will no doubt tend to increase the interest as the centre is approached. Enthusiastic receptions, such as we read of, in the country districts will give the candidates "encouragement and experience—and they will need it all in fighting the most popular Minister in New Zealand. Mr Clayton has now reached a stage in his campaign when he fairly lays himself open to a certain amount of criticism. There can be nothing but admiration for the j splendid fight he is putting up, and Mr Carroll’s friends would do well to fully realise the truth of Mr Clayton’s words that this election is to be no walk-over. They have already been shown that they will have to face in Mr Clayton, an energetic candidate, who is an able speaker, a close student of politics, and who is backed up by an excellent organisation throughout the district. Of Mr Wall it is perhaps premature to speak until he has gotfairly started on his tour, but it is an open , secret that he Will be supported by a i

strong prohibition voto apart from the support ho will command by roason of tho respeot in which ho is hold and of his political opinions generally. Tho koynoto of Mr Clayton’s spoechos seems to be an effort to belittle the Hon. J. Carroll. We are told that our

sitting member is a political son of tho Premier, also that ho is “ a nonentity.” Tho former jeer will be doomed a compliment by a groat many people. The day has gone past whon mention of the name of Seddon can be heard otherwise than with a feeling of pride. True, Mr Clayton incidentally drags in the name of Captain Seddon, but wo should think that the shocking ex-

posure given to tho “ New Libel party ” would be sufficient to warn a candidate who wishes to retain the re-

spect of tho people against seeking to drag tho Premier’s family into tho political discussion. Then as to the jeer that Mr Carroll is “ a nonentity.’,

Such a statement is a slight upon the thousands of electors who have so often shown their confidence in Mr Carroll, If Mr Clayton means that in becoming a Minister Mr Carroll has become “ a nonentity,” then that is a still worse slight, for it was upon the vigorous and united representations of the people of this district that the Premier did us the honor of conferring Ministerial rank upon the district’s representative. That Mr Carroll has tilled that position with dignity none can deny. He is accused of being at all times ready to do the Premier’s bidding. , As we are in the days of democracy and party government the fact that a man is loyal to hiß chief is not generally considered a sin, except possibly by the clever quartette who have lately been trying to stir up so much political dust. We do riot agree with the Premier in everything, nor with Mr Carroll—they are not perfect like some immaculate people one hears of —bnt they have won their place in the people’s esteem. The question will occur to some : If the Hoh. J. Carroll —who has always been elected by a great majority and is always listened to by a full House —is “ a nonentity,” what position would Mr Clayton occupy if elected ? Would he be our midget while Mr Seddon still remains the great white Czar of New Zealand ? We admire Mr Clayton for the plucky fight he is making and freely acimowledge that he will be able to make the pace warm for the member who has retained the confidence of the people so long; but if he hopes to get into Parliament by the belittling of Mr Carroll and the consequent reflection on the intelligence of the electors who have so consistently supported him, the candidate will make a great mistake and demonstrate that he does not possess that shrewdness with which he has been credited. If it be true that Mr Carroll has lost his individuality in the House, it is in the sense that he has merged from “ our old friend Jimmy ” into a dignified Minister of the Crown; but whether we regard him as the ever-popular Jimmy or the dignified Minister of the Crown whose companionship is sought by Australasia’s most esteemed Governors, we know him for the same old trusted representative who not only possesses the orator’s graces but successfully keeps himself in touch with all classes of the community. He may seem “ a nonentity ” to Mr Clayton, but there are hundreds of able men throughout New Zealand who would be only too pleased to be that bind of nonentity.