New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, AUGUST 29.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4816, 29 August 1876, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, AUGUST 29.

Me. Gillon has discovered the reason why his re-election for Te Aro Ward to the City Council is opposed. The reason is trade jealousy. Well the New Zealand Times opposes his re-election, and it is pleasing to assure him that so far as this paper is concerned opposition has nothing to do with trade jealousy, inasmuch as there is no trade platform to be jealous about, and if there were, no jealousy would be permitted to exist. Mr. Gillon, who is in many respects a highly estimable young man, and remarkable for energy whether well _ or ill directed, has, it must be supposed, in this instance measured the corn of other people by his own bushel and seen competition in certain devious ways of obtaining trade to which his business accumen has been directed, but which are not necessarily pursued by businessmen. OuroppositiontoMr. Gillon arises from the simplest possible causes, and seems to be similar to that entertained by quite a number of ratepayers, who certainly cannot be accused of trade jealousy of Mr. Gillon. We believe that Mr. Gillon has not in the past made a good representative of the ward,

and is not likely to make' a much' betters representative in the future. We. believe that Mr. Moeller, who lis a gentleman ,6f the largest and best business capacities, •. who as a citizen is universally and who is capable of taking a shrewd and -businesslike viewof -municipal matters, - will make a good representative, and for 'that reason we'fmean to sup-, port him. It would afford us the most sincere pleasure were we able to hold Mr. Gillon’s estimate of himself ; but wo do not, and really he cannot by any ‘right force us to- do so. He would advocate freedom of opinion we are certain most strongly, and with the depth of honest conviction on which he prides himself ; it is but fair then that he should allow to Mr. Moeller and the majority of the ratepayers who mean to return _ that gentleman a little freedom of opinion. We are anxious to discuss Mr. Gillon’s candidature in'the manner least likely to arouse the very tender susceptibility to criticism for which he is notorious, and if during the course of the contest now initiated he should find any remarks in the New Zealand Times which, on first inspection, may seem to him unnecessarily severe, we beg of him to think awhile, confident that he will discover nothing intended to do more than advocate a fair cause in a fair manner. It is pleasant to be able thus early to clear the ground in this manner ; for whilst we do not hesitate to say that we regard Sir. Gillon’s municipal career with feelings of the completest contempt, we have too great a respect for his sincere, though somewhat Quixotic sensitiveness to opposition, to desire to make that opposition one whit stronger than may be necessary to render it successful. Mention has been made of Mr. Gillon’s municipal career. At a some-, what select meeting last night he gave an explanation of that career, which we are quite content to accept, as did the meeting—with thanks for his being at the trouble of affording it, but without approval of it, and without confidence in the future. Mr. Gillon was . good enough to flatter his Worship the Mayor in a somewhat fulsome manner. We have no desire to ascribe motives, but this does certainly look like a bid for the support of the many ratepayers who returned the Mayor in the face of opposition from Mr. Gillon, of a character we can scarcely trust ourselvCs to name. What is to be thought of motives in this respect when it is known that previously to Mr. Hutchison’s election, Mr. Gillon did not hesitate to say in public that were that gentleman returned, he, Mr. Gillon, would retire from the Council ? But this was said when Mr. Gillon thought there was no earthly chance of Mr. Hutchison’s return. So soon, however, as that became an accomplished fact, Mr. Gillon suddenly discovered that he might break his promise as he had broken many others, and he is now prepared to eat the leek if only by doing so ho can gain support. This .indicates a flaw in Mr. Gillon’s otherwise spotless character which he shares with men of meaner mould. In other than municipal public life a parallel to this may be found. It may be found in the loud-voiced bully and braggart who so long as he thinks he can intimidate will let no restraint interfere with his methods of cowing and overriding his fellows, but who so soon as he finds his bullying of no avail is the first to display a sneaking regard for him whose name and fame he had formerly abused. Such a character as this in common life we are confident a gentleman of Mr. Gillon’s calibre would be the very first to despise. He should be most careful then to avoid forming in himself a parallel to it in public affairs. For the time we have said quite enough on the present contest.' To say more just now would be unfair to Mr. Gillon. There can be little doubt but that the depressing character of his meeting last night acted against his giving the best explanation of his municipal career. It is not pleasant to find the ratepayers of a large ward only present to the number of sixteen when one begins one’s defence, nor is it agreeable to find, after the highways and hedges have been searched and the explanation has been finished, but twenty in attendance. We trust to come across Mr. Gillon under more favorable circumstances than those of last night, when he will be able to appear to better advantage, and when we can say with more credit that nothing can explain the utterly inexcusable manner in which he has filled the trust unhappily reposed in him some time ago by .Te Aro ward.