Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, NOV. 80, 1893. The Handwriting on the Wall.

Manawatu Herald, 30 November 1893, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, NOV. 80, 1893. The Handwriting on the Wall.

It is well when a general election results in satisfaction to both parties, which Tuesday's election seems to have done. The Wellington Government organ claims the election as being •' never a victory at the polls more complete " for the Government. We shall hear, for the future, a little more about the Government and a little less about Mr Seddon. For some time the Premier has been labouring under the idea that he was the Government, and endeavoured to run the elections on that ticket. If that view is taken the Government has been disastrously defeated, as Mr Seddon can very accurately time the length of his office as Premier to within a short time of Parliament assembling. It will be news to readers of the N.Z. Times to learn, from its leader of yesterday, that "w'th Sir Robeit Stow at the head of the poll we liave of course no reason to complain, for we did our utmost to get that position for him," as whatever doubt may be entertained as to the genuineness ot the effort, Sir Robert Stout did achieve that position, and his having done so effectually numbers the days of Mr Seddon 's past personal rule. For all the differ nee there exists between Liberals and Conservatives at the present time, which is almost indistinguishable, except on this one point, that the so-called Conservatives desire Representative Government and purity of , administration, it makes little difference to the politics of the colony which tide has the majority. Take for example the candidate retured for this electorate, shough it pleases the Government organ to dub him a Conservative, we pointed out months ago, after Mr Wilson had addressed the electors prior to the meeting of the la-t session of Parliament, that the views he then gave utterance to were very similar to the views held by the Party he was supposed to be in Opposition to. A careful inspection of the names of the successful candidates will show that there is but little difference in their desire to forward benefioial legislation, but a wide difference as to the men who shall bo entrusted with the administration of the affairs of the colony. Thid brings us to the point where the women show up in their force. Sir Robert Stout, in returning thanks for his election mads use of these words, " He had been returned notwithstanding that some frunds of his bad done their best to work against him. He was not saying anything but what he felt when he told them that his return was mainly due to the women of Wellington He hoped that those who thought that the government of the country could be carried on contrary to the moral sense of the community would see that the first whistle had gone." As in Wellington so it has been in other districts, and women have successfully forced the hands of the candidates by compelling them, in the hope of getting their support, to give no undecided indication how they intended voting on the Liquor Question. In the neighbouring electorate of Palmerston, Mr F. Pi rani, who has been returned, and who has been a total abstainer all his life or for a long period, had, on the eve of the day prior to polling, to advertise moat distinctly that he wou'd vote for the repeal of Mr SediW.q Liquor Bill, notwithstanding his being Premier. It is evident

that this strong announcement would not have been made had he not thought the women electors insisted on having such a definite statement. Under these circumstances we do jset regret his return, and the step he look afc the last moment was only in keeping with the suggestion we made some weeks ago, How the Government organ in Wellington enn write so jubilantly upon the elections*, considering the wobbling advice it kept giving, to the electors as to the various candidates they should support, is very surprising, it being so plainly shown that ail their leanings were towards those who favoured the Liquor Trada. The election in Wellington* won hy the help of women-, is a most distinct Prohibitionist victory, two avowed Prohibitionists being reI turned at the top of the poll. This. Sir Robert Stout says, is the work of the women, is simply the first whistle of warning, a preliminary declaration that nothing " contrary to the moral sense of the community " will be allowed in the future. Yet the organ of the Government placed in power by the Liquor Ring is pleased— if they are, so should everybody else be. The elections have shown that women thoroughly understand their power and their duty.