After the Poll.

Manawatu Herald, 30 November 1893, Page 2

After the Poll.

We have to congratulate Mr J. G. Wilson upon his return at the head of the poll, and Mr Donald Fraser for the very grand position he occupied. After an election it is desirable thafc any little political warmth occassioned in a .Qontest should be permitted to cool down as quickly as possible, but in the fight just won and lost, it is most satisfactory to say that there has been no warmth. The election has been fought on most gentlemanly lines by both the candidates and their supporters, and though much interest was excited, we heard, at the largest polling place, no angry words passed. Mr Fraser polled heavier than we anticipated and for that he has to thank the Government support for, as where his own personal qualities were best known, curiously enough there he polled the least number of votes. It may be a question that •• a prophet is without honour. in his own country " or it may be that the Liberals are prepared to vote for, quoting the Government's own pretty phrase " a Chinaman or a broom stick" provided he undertook to vote straight at his party s call, without troubling himself to think for himself at all. If the latter suggestion is the correct one we call attention to the fact that the fuss of an election is an absurdity, and the electorate would have done better to have voted Mr Seddon a proxy paper, and so saved the honoraruim which Mr Fraser asserts is so much too high. The good polling of Mr Fraser will we trust convey a lesson to Mr Wilson that the electors do feel he neglects visiting them between election contests, and if unheeded in the future will result in his present record of the always successful candidate being rudely broken. The district is large, parliamentary duties take up much time, the estate needs personal attention, and also a number of other reasons can easily be raised, but must be put aside if Mr Wilson intends to retain the hold he possesses upon the distuct. We have so frequently pointed this out, and know so well the general feeling that exists that we feel like repeating an oft told tale but one which may not need repeating unless better heeded in the future.