Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, NOV. 12, 1896. Mr Kellow's Speech.

Manawatu Herald, 12 November 1896, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, NOV. 12, 1896. Mr Kel low's Speech.

We are pleased to be able to congratulate Mr Kellow on the speech he delivered on Tuesday night, as it Was evidently carefully thought out and well rendered. He received a very good reception, but it was evident he had produced facts which absorbed his listeners attention so much that it caused them to omit to notice the lack of certain information which considering its great moment to all classes deserved a more thorough explanation. We are, in like manner with many others, puzzled to know how Mr Kellow would aot on any test question in Parliament as he first cursed and afterwards faintly blessed the present Government. We have to suppose that all these difficulties must cease when tha Elective Executive Bill becomes law, but tilt that does, where will Mr Kellow be? We have not tiraa this issue to compare the good and evil deeds of the Government as shown by Mr Kellow, nor is it necessary as our readers have a report of his speech in this is3ue, but we feel compelled to draw attention to Mr Kellow as a Prohibitionist oandidate. We were struck with the exceedingly neat manner he escaped the awkward reference to this disturbing/point in his candidature, and it was surprising no questions were asked him. Mr Kellow pleasantly said the question must be referred to the people and by their vote he would abide. This is right, but the fact remains that prior to the people being consulted their representatives have to decide upon what their decision is to be. A great deal has been both said and written as to national prohibition, a matter of no consequence if everybody agreed to it, but the disturbing element is as to what the majority shall be to secure its being brought into operation. Mr Kellow admitted that Prohibitionists have been styled men with one idea, and their one idea is to secure national prohibition by a bare majority. No one asked Mr Kollow whether he held with this view and he was careful not to touch upon it, but it is a piece of information which the fairer-minded electors require to know. We fear that Mr Kellow is with the one-idea men, that he will agree to the bare majority carrying national prohibition, as the local prohibitionists exhibited no anxiety to put such a question to this candidate, and the chief Good Templar publicly said that Mr Kellow was " sound on the goose " on the prohibition question. It would be well for Mr Kellow, if he differs from our reading of his action, to publicly put himself right.