The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, October 14, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1056, 14 October 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, October 14, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

So far two candidates for the Otaki seat have addressed Foxton audiences —the Dabour candidate and the unofficial Opposition candidate, Mr Byron Brown. Our readers have had ample time to digest the speeches made by both candidates. The former drifted about iu a general way and promised that he would set his platform fully before the electors at a later date. If he did so at this period the other candidates might be tempted to steal some of his wisdom. We are of opinion that the electors would have been better pleased had he given them ample time to fathom his wisdom instead of springing surprises on them at the last minute. Such tactics might be the means of his undoing. The people require educating and this takes time. Anyhow, what has Labour to complain of in respect to the Liberal Government ? Its socialistic and labour legislation has been more advanced than in most parts of the Empire and Labour has had a good hearing all along the line. In fact, the Government may be termed a Labour and Socialistic Government —a little too much so iu the opinion of a large section of electors throughout the Dominion. It is unnecessary to enumerate the various industrial: measures placed on the Statute books to better the condition of the wage-earners and, bearing this in mind, despite certain minor imperfections, which can easily be adjusted, there is absolutely no necessity in this country for an extreme Labour - cum-Socialistic party such as the Labour candidate would champion.

Mr. Byron Brown is putting up a strenuous fight to capture the Otaki seat. He has told his audiences that he will be in the second ballot with the Government candidate. If hard work and plenty of advertising go for anything, then he stands a big chance of success, but there are quite a large number oi people who are not quite so sanguine about the result of the poll as Mr Brown. A ready tongue with a dash of Yankee hustle are not the only qualifications which are requisite in a Parliamentary candidate. Mr Brown has indulged i

in a good deal of adverse criticism of the Government’s borrowing, squandering and maladministration, and, while few will deny that the Ward administration is not all it might be, there is a better side to the picture than thatpainted by Mr Brown. Mr Brown admits being in favour of 75 per cent, ol the measures passed by the Liberal Government, and judging Irom his speech he has somewhat underestimated the percentage. The charge of corruption against the Government should have been more specific. It is all very well to urge that the administration is corrupt, but we want this charge nailed down. Will Mr Brown enter into details, because now is the time for exposure. We will leave the Government candidate to answer Mr Brown’s general criticism, but we expect Mr Brown to cite specific charges of corruption, and if he can prove them we will use all the power at our command to give the subject the widest publicity and condemnation. We agree that the Ministry is vested with too much power and patronage under the present constitution, and if it has been abused the quickest way to reform is by exposure.

Great interest is being taken in the opening of the Coronation Town Hall on Wednesday next. The Borough Council have made arrangements whereby the ceremonies shall be made to suit the pockets and tastes of all classes of the community. On Wednesday the hall will be formally opened by a concert to be followed by a picture entertainment. The concert programme will be supplied by Palmerston’s leading vocalists, while local musicians will supply the instrumental music. There should be a full house on the occasion. The pictures will be manipulated with the Council’s up-to-date plant. On the following Friday a citizens plain and fancy dress ball will be held, the arrangements for which are in capable hands, and should also attract a large attendance. This function will end the opening ceremonies. The Council have also decided to hold weekly picture entertainments, which should help to meet curren t expenses. From present indications the hall should not only pay its way, but be revenue-producing.