SUPERINTENDENCY ELECTION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 13, 22 April 1871, Page 7

SUPERINTENDENCY ELECTION

Tiie result of the election on Thursday will be received with pleasure throughout the province and the colony. In Wanganui, it is true, there was a majority for Mr Finnimore, but the small, number polled there altogether deprives this majority of much of its political significance. If we subtract from it the votes given to Mr Finnimore as a respected fellow townsman, we should find that as an exponent of political opinion it is not altogether reliable. At the same time, we must attribute many of the votes given to the. Wanganui candidate to the feeling of discontent long chronic in that quarter, and we hope the Provincial Government will give effect to this expression of the popular feeling, quantum valeat, and will pursue a policy as diffusive as possible. While Mr Finnimore may be congratulated on having polled so many votes, we think he may thank his stars on having escaped a position, which we take leave to say, he could neither have occupied with credit to himself, nor advantage to the province. In no disrespect to an estimable and useful settler who may one day i rise to a good political" position, iwe repeat our expression of regret that he should have sought an office requiring an experience he could not claim, a political influeuce he could not be expected to command, and, above all, a seat in the Colonial Parliament, without which a Superintendent of Wellington afc the present time would lose much of his power to help the province out 5f its difficulties. We hope he will gracefully accept his defeat. In his place in the Council he gave utterance to liberal and progressive sentiments, and we could illafford to lose him as a member. By assisting the new Superintendent in the arduous work set before him he will display a magnanimity, and a public spirit that will go far to help him when (after more experience) be next seeks ' public honors. Of the other defeated candidate we would not say anything but that the small number of votes polled by him is a lesson thac he should take to heart. The "'working men.of Wellington," by their rejection of the candidate who most wooed their suffrages, have shown that they are not the easy dupes they were supposed to be ; and that they consider something more is required in aspirants to public office than fluent clap-trap, and coarse invective. The large majority which Mr Fitzherbert, " without moving a finger" has secured, is no less honorable to himself, than creditable to the electors. With this expression of public confidence, doubly significant from its being the result of no electioneering tactics, the Superintendent-elect may feel encouraged and strengthened for the high and arduous duties to which be has been called. His task will be no easy one ; and all his exertions will be of comparatively little avail unless, they are seconded by the Provincial Council., and supported from without, by an intelligent public opinion. We ask, therefore, that the* vote of yesterday be followed up, both within and without the Council, that all shibboleths of parties belaid aside, and that the watchword of the province shall be " peace and progress."