THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2208, 4 June 1908, Page 1

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

People of all shades of politics will hoar with regret of the contemplated ratiromenfc from politics of Mr F. \. Lethbridge, the popular AI.R. for 0 roil a. (writes the Manaivnlu “Standard” of a recent issue). -Mr Lethbridge has aiiiiouneeil that ho will not be a candidate at the general election, lie has represented the district in Parliament since 1890, lirst as the member for Rangitikei, and from 1902 as the elect of Oroua. During his twelve years of Parliamentary life, Mr Lethbridge has earned the respect of all partiesHn tile Legislative Assembly, His (pilot, unassuming personality, with its most impor,taut component of unswerving ad"ho re nee to principles and his absolute integrity has not failed to impres;those with whom he came in contact in the halls of Parliament, and he will leave the political arena i'<;l lowed by universal regrets that, will bo uhtinged with any of the bitterness engendered in party strile. .Mr Lethbridge’s work lor Ids electorate mid as a public man will be generally .recognised ,and doubtless the recognition will take a tangible form. That j*,,a matter, however, that can‘be safely left to his constituents. In the mcantiiuo Air Lethbridge’s party must find a candidate to contest the Oroua seat in the Opposition interest. There promises to bo a plethora of suitable gentlemen, , and the choice will occasion some difficulty. Among the suggested candidates is' Mr i<\ Pirani, who represented the Palmerston constituency in the House of Represontativ.es lor a number of years, and Mr Atkinson, a well-known auctioneer and respected resident of Foilding, is announced as a candidate in opposition, to tho Government- policy.'