The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DEO. 6, 1905. TO-DAY’S CONTEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1619, 5 December 1905, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DEO. 6, 1905. TO-DAY’S CONTEST.

The keen interest that is being taken in to-day’s election should be for the best interests of the district. The contest, though being fought with great ardour, is still being conducted in a manner that should; leave no after bitterness. Hard things are being said ; no point is being negleoted on either side, and the gloves i are off all round, But we believe that notbiog has ooourred that will prevent candidates and supporters heartily shaking hands when the numbers go up. Our cwn position was cleariy defined at the outset. Mr Carroll has bad our consistent, (hough not servile support—a support.that will not debar us at any time from giving the Native Minister that moasure of criticism which is bestowed on every public man, a

class of'criticism that; descends no: to abuse.j'Advocacy of Mr "Carroll’s candidature has to some extent been disarmed on this occasion, for the reason that from quarters where at one time nought but hostility could be looked for, now only blessings emanate as far as the Government is concerned. In the circumstances we feel reluctant to slash into those Opposition fighters, who must win the admiration of all for the splendid stand they have made against such long odds. " The eleventhhour candidate” was the term applied last night by Mr Carroll to Mr Darton, aud no doubt that expression conveys a deal of truth, for view Mr I Darton’s candidature as wo pray there is no doubt that the lateness of bis appearance in the field must greatly discount ny chance that he would otherwise havo. Of tbe Opposition candidates, Mr Olayton as undoubtedly scored a Btrong point in oaring the imprimalur of tbe leader of . ie Opposition as the selected candidate i‘it Waiapu. Although Mr Wall has been conducting a vigorous campa'gn on behalf

of the Opposition, the selection made by Me Mcssey must secure Mr Oloyton strong support. This was almost to be expeoted, seeing that Mr Wall has made prohibition a caidinal plank of his platform, many who think with him in politics finding the noliconse arguments not to their liking. The prohibition vote is with the advent of Mr Darton, split up between the younger Liberal candidate and the veteran Oppositionist. The logical sequence is that many Oppositionists wi’i lake the samo view as many Liberals, and i 'eel that their only hope of making their rote effective is to support that candidate vho seemingly has the strongest following Fftlrino oil f.Kinrvt* mill, Iha I

issue now seems to be between the Hoo. James Carroll on the Liberal side'and Mr Clayton as representing the Opposition. It is, therefore, to be expected, that many supporters of Messrs Wall and Darton on their respective sides will Iransftr their allegience to Messrs Carroll and Clayton,