To Candidates.

Manawatu Herald, 21 October 1893, Page 2

To Candidates.

♦ — ■ . Histoky abounds with instances of the heroism and obstinacy of ancient mariners who when engaged in battle nailed their colours to the mast, so that as long as the stick remained standing so would the glorious emblem. With all due deference, we would desire to point out to candidates at the forthcoming election, the desirability of following such an excellent example. To strightforward runners this shou'd commend itself to them, as preventing an opponent from challenging any item in the candidates platform. A plain published statement of the views of each candidate will be of the greatest assistance to their return and to the friends who will work for them. The wretched system of referring back to what was said in one township and perhaps left unsaid in another township, savours of the tactics of the beaten foes of British Tars, who at times ran up their flag when shot away, but more often " caved " in when a chance missile cut the " rag " away. At this election no dodgery is wanted, it must be made perfectly clear that those who pose as opponents of the Government are against them really. We want nothing resembling the attitude of the Government towards candidates they pretend are their supporters, but whose chief claims to the votes of the electors are that they disapprove of their most important measures. It should be easy for a candidate'to draw up a plain statement of his Views, which all who run can read.-. The candidate who neglects this useful precaution may get, in racing parlance " left," as a very wise arrangement has been come to by which candidates will not have quite the same unlimited run of a newspaper, in reporting every speech they may choose to make, at this election. It will be as well also for candidates to bear in mind that without the aid of somo such statement not one half of the electors will catch the general views held by them, as the woman voter will not be so easily reached or talked over, and it will be found that they are just the persons who will worry out the actual views the candidate holds or refuse him their support.