Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 1896. The Coming Election.

Manawatu Herald, 10 September 1896, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 1896. The Coming Election.

» Dubino the next few months we shall be regaled with tbe opinion of candidates for parliamentary honours upon the duty of the State, so that it is quite unnecessary for us to forestall them, but as there are other duties besides tbose owing to ihe State it may be worth our while considering them in good time. The electorate to which Foxton has from time to time been attached has taken a distinctly favourable position by selecting a good representative, but, alas, be it said, our endeavours to set an excellent example has failed to induce other decorates to do likewise, and when the scramble f»r the loaves and fishes regularly take-" piace we h v.- ora- on b_.d!y. For a high tonp constHuen'-'y this is aa it should be, buc as the Yankees say. it does not pay. Under these circumstances the choice of a representative becomes of much moment to the community, and on this head we desire to make the following remarks : We hold, and have held for a long time, one of the most important essentials in a representative, in addition to respectability and intelligence, is a thorough knowledge of the diatriot he represents as well as an important stake in it, as where the money is so will tbe heart be. In the number of exoellent gentlemen who are flattering ua by their attention «, there are two who po .scsi these distinctions, viz., Messrs Ransom and Steven?. Mr Kellow we know not of, but believe be unt derstanda the northern portion of the new electorate. In addition we hear the name of Mr Bruoe mentioned, but we find he comes nowhere near our standard, as he resides away in the bush at Hunterville, and is known, except by name, to only a few. We have not been snpportets of tbe present Ministry in the past, though we have never grudged oredii to the Hon the Pre inier, but rather than hand over the tbe electorate into tbe keeping of a distinct outsider we would give a vote to the best local man in preference, never minding his politics. We do not think we are at all singular in oar views and therefore it is very surprising to us to find that our member not only approves of Mr Bruce's candidature, but desires his supporters to transfer their votes to Mr Bruce. We may be accused of deserting our Party, and the rest of nonsense that gets spoken during election excitement, but we care not for that, as our duty is to guard and foster the advancement and prosperity of the district we represent. Why it is thought necessary to import Mr Bruce we know not, unless it is a move of the Rangitikei people to seoure two representatives in Parliament ; if not, it simply proclaims that tbe Opposition Party have not a man in tbis electorate with patriotism and energy enough to do his duty. The apathy displayed in publio matters by those who would vote for an Opposition candidate is again made evident, and thus easily explains the successes gained by the Government party at the polls.