The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1908. THE GISBORNE ELECTORATE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2260, 4 August 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1908. THE GISBORNE ELECTORATE.

Already .there is a decided activity being manifested in the Bay of Plenty electorate with regard to tho coming elections. Both the Opposition and tho “selected” Government candidate are hard at work canvassing the voters, and by November there will bo little ground for complaint on tho part of any of the districts that they have not been mado acquainted with the candidates as well as the political issues involved. This activity is in marked contrast .with the state of affairs existent in the Gisborne electorate, which, up to tho present, has been absolutely neglected by intending candidates. It is, of course, generally recognised that the Government will be represented by the Hon. James Carroll } and it is, moreover, generally believed that the Native Minister is at present in Wellington, though there is no material evidence on the .point. Tho .Native Minister may bo exerting himself with a mighty energy in Wellington, but if so it is in a particularly unobbrusivo fashion, and no echo of his achievements can bo heard in Gisborpo. It is also believed that Mr. Gcorgo Darton will •again bo a candidate as an “Independent,” whtever that term may imply, but hero again we are left somewhat in the dark. Mr. Barton’s extraordinary energies on behalf of the people whom he delights to serve in multifarious capacities are so .generally recognised that he will need no introduction to a grateful! public when ho decides to commence his political campaign. It is, however, the Opposition party which appears to lag behind to the greatest extent, for so far it does not appear to have even nominated a candidate. The fact is all the more remarkable by reason of tho fact that there aro a great number of Opposition supporters in the district and a still greater number of electors wlio, whilst they have never seen their way to definitely ally themselves with Mr. Massey’s party, would gladly welcome a change of Government. It is in the interests of the Dominion .and of this electorate in particular that a candidate should be promptly chosen to represent that portion of the community which is sincerely desirous of .reform in the Government of the country. During the next few months wo shall hear an abundance of talk from critics of the Government, who will franktly criticise its actions, pointing out its iniquities •and the need for reform, yet will fail at the crucial .point when a change of Government is being discussed. Such an individual—once lie gets to Parliament- 1 -becomes nothing better than the dumbest of the dumb dogs, for under the wretched system of Government by party ho would bo a mere tool in the bands of the Premier. The man who talks glibly .about reforming “from within” may safely bo mistrusted as one who has not the backbone to do any reform in any place. If reform is needed in our public maitters—and almost everyone will recognise the need—then that reform must bo accepted as superior to any party or parties. In other words, it is much more important that tile .political .affairs of this country shall be placed upon a sound and clean bas ; s than it is that the Ward or any other Ministry shall continue in power. Under the so-cailled .Liberal administration the standard of our public life is steadily falling. We have not, fortunately, yet attained tile stage reached in the United States, where political affairs arc so corrupt that tho community is powerless to protest, but wo aro surely hastening along that path. The present system of expending money is utterly rotten inasmuch as it places within the .power of the Ministry of t.lio day tho opportunity to distribute large sums of money to hundreds of districts in various parts of the .Dominion with no effective check on tho part of .Parliament. The fact has been taken full advantage of by the present -Government, which has, as a general principle, expended the money for public works with a single eye to its effect at election time. If there is one legislative change more needed than another in this country it is one that will establish a proper system of local government in place of the present method whereby Parliament attempts to act as a hoard of local works. Such a reform has been promised every year for fifteen years, but it will perer be brought about eo

long .ns llio Ward Government holds the reins of power lor the simple reason that it confers the power of pntiamago which tho Government of to-day is'loth lo relinquish. As a Jesuit of these methods, there ;s a leoling throughout the country winch seems to bo growing in strength each year that.in order to “get on’® it is necessary to “keep sweet” with the powors-that-bo. In other words, tho Government is utilising to the full every possible opportunity to exert what Americans cill “tho pull,” and what wo designate ss.political patronage. The logical ami, indeed, tho only result of such methods in tho conduct o.f our public affaire is to sap tho vitality of tho young nation, and to breed a spirit of servility and dependence. There aro hundreds, probably thousands, of electors in tho Gisborne electorate who believe as wo do in tlieso matters, and who recognise that there is need for an entire change in our system of legislation and administration. They desire progress just as much as the truest Democrat, but they want it to boreal progress, not tho sham thing which represents a boom period whilst borrowed money fasts, and, more important still, .they want a clean .administration in which public money shall bo expended, not for tho influence its expenditure cm bring, hut for the good that it can do. That being tho ease, it is quite time that a definite move was made and that some candi-date-was chosen who', in fighting under a progressive platform, will not be afraid tp declare that in the event of the Ward Government blocking a reform be will not give way on the reform, but will vote for a change of Government. Time .is rapidly passing;, in a few short months election day will bo with us and thoro is not time to waste if tho party of reform is to select a candidate .and give him a reasonable chance of success at the polls,