CUPBOARD LOVE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5374, 18 June 1878, Page 3

CUPBOARD LOVE.

(From tho West Coast Times, June 13.) We have been congratulated on taking a stand in this contest, in pronouncing an opinion that a particular candidate seemed to us the best for the district. Such, indeed, is our position, and we conceive it to be a better one than that of a journal which, in the absence of a gentleman who was expected to come forward, is reduced to the miserable shift of giving left-handed support to a candidate whoso cause it is absolutely ashamed to openly espouse. It is too late to be looking for a candidate in the clouds. The “ second Gisborne that may turn up in the nick of time,” who is to untie the Gordian knot will turn out a hopeless myth. Had there been any one of this description likely to seek the good gifts of the electors, he would not retire in dark obscurity until nomination day, waiting the shining light of a star to prove that he is a nephew of—not the Premier—hut the man in the moon. Bather than keep searching amongst these ethereal nonentities, let us choose between the candidates who are before us. The race will undoubtedly he between Mr. George and Mr. Fitz Gerald, and of the ultimate result of the contest there need not be the slightest doubt. What will West Coast influence in Parliament or with the Government be, if we return Mr. Fitz Gerald, to complete and cap the quartet of the northern members from this Coast ? We venture to say the single voices of Messrs. Gisborne and George would be more effective than the melodious strains the quadruple gathering could unitedly bring forth. The same arguments used against Mr. Gisborne in his late candidature are repeated in exact words against Mr. George. The former was described as a candidate profoundly unacquainted with goldfields and gold miners. At Woodstock all sorts of names were given him. Yet he has been instrumental in securing for this constituency most of their local requirements, and the public bodies in the Totara District can testify as to his services. We aro told it is obviously ridiculous to set George in the same scale. That he is a mere puppet who will be tied to the apron strings of his uncle for life. Mr. Gisborne had harsher names applied to him. He was designated a pensioner, a squatter, and an old fogey. By my of return for such cognomens he secured bridges and roads. And if Mr. George will only manaye to pull the said strings, whether they dangle from, the apron of the Premier, or the Ministerial purse, the constituency trill hare no cause to reyret his return as their representative. It must also be remembered that the candidate now returned is not to receive a life appointment. He will be required to come before the electors again after two more sessions, and from present appearances, the Grey Ministry'is likely ,to hold the reins until that time, if not longer. Of the two candidates named, no right-minded citizen, who has any interest or stake in the district, or who is merely a well wisher for its future advancement, ought to have the least hesitation in saying which is the more eligible candidate for the suffrages of the electors.