MR FITZGERALD AND THE GREY ELECTION.

Patea Mail, 26 May 1881, Page 3

MR FITZGERALD AND THE GREY ELECTION.

Since the resignation of Mr Masters, the Grey Argus has been urgent in its endeavors to encourage some local candidate to announce himself. The address issued by Mr Gerald George FitzGerald, on the 16th May, afforded another opportunity for stimulating would-be aspirants, delay being deemed evidence of faint-heartedness, a quality which is not calculated to commend candidates to the electors.

The Argus says Mr FitzGerald is an old resident on the Coast, and is known in one way or another throughout its length and breadth. He is known as an honest, disinterested man, who possesses more than ordinary ability ; and, as he claims in his address, ho is well acquainted with the requirements of our goldfields. These are good credentials, but they are not all that may be looked for in a candidate. The address is very good as far as it goes, but it does not go far enough. There is only one item in the address ujon which there is any difference of opinion. He considers that the way in which the present Government have performed the difficult and delicate part entrusted to them renders them in his eyes worthy of support. There is one omission in the address—and a most grave one. Mr FitzGerald has not a word to say in respect to our education system. Such an omission is no mere oversight. He is far too able, too much of a man of the world, and too accustomed to touch the springs of human feeling in public and political life to have overlooked a matter of so much import. This is all the more strange when it is remembered—and the fact is well-known—that Mr FitzGerald entertains views very pronounced and well grounded on education. If Mr FitzGerald can satisfy West Coasters on the education question, his chances of success are deemed certain.

The West Coast Times says; However much we may differ from Mr FitzGerald on many points, it must be admitted that the Grey Valley might be far worse represented than by that gentleman. But we are not without a hope that a Liberal candidate may come forward. Mr FitzGerald who has for sometime been editor of the Wanganui Chronicle , is now personally canvassing the Grey district, and is sanguine of obtaining the vacant seat. .