THE CITY ELECTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5274, 18 February 1878, Page 3

THE CITY ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir,— Will you courteously grant me a small space in your paper to enable me to draw attention to the claims of Mr. Barton to the support of those who belong to the political party headed by Sir George Grey. The leading features of the Premier’s programme aro liberal land laws and manhood suffrage. How long Sir George Grey has held these views I know not, but this I do know : Mr. Barton has maintained these as cardinal points of his political creed for the last twenty years, and it may well bo said, not that Dir. Barton has adopted the Premier’s policy, but that the Premier now advocates that vigorously and bravely fought for by Mr. Barton when a

member of the Victorian Assembly many years ago. Now, as to the other supporter of Sir George Grey’s Government, Mr. Hutchison. It would be interesting to know how long ho has been willing to call himself an extreme democrat ; how long he has looked to Sir George Grey as the model of a patriot, and it would also be interestiug to know what claims he the constituency. Some of the ex-Mayor a supporters sav Mr. Barton is new to Welliugton. Possibly so, but Mr. Hutchison is but slightly an older resident; however that is a matter of no importance, for I take it that our members are not supposed to represent the mere area of their electoral districts, and I do not a Dunedin man should not be chosen to sit for Auckland, or a Christchurch man for Wellington, provided he were superior to the other candidates. Mr. Hutclrsou is fond of pointing to the public works of the_ city which have been curried out during his duplicate Mayoralty as placing the ratepayers under an obligation to him. True an immense deal of money has been spent, but has the outlay been judicious and the administation economical ? Is Mr. Hutchison remarkable for consistency ? Is he noted for sticking’to a weak side ! If he be returned can we say how he will vote on any critical division. Recent events in the House of Representatives prove the danger of having waverers. We do not want a DVellington member to be unable to make up his mind in a crisis like that of last session, but we want a man who has proved himself to he an earnest, consistent, and determined supporter of his side in politics. Men on rails do not add to the dignity of a legislative body. Though Mr. Barton and Mr. Pearce differ widely in politics, they both have the courage of their opinions, ttiey have minds of their own, and they will not trim their sails to catch each favoring breeze, hoping that by judicious taekingthey may reach the haven of the privileged Chamber. An able lawyer, an accomplished scholar, an experienced debater, and an unswerving democrat, Mr. Barton stands far far above Mr. Hutchison. —I am, &c., Elector,