The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, MONDAY, MAY 12.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 129, 12 May 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, MONDAY, MAY 12.

The news published on Saturday, conveying the intelligence that, at the request of several of our leading citizens Sin Julius Vogel had signified his willingness to represent this constituency during the ensuing sessions of Parliament, providing such was the general wish of the main body of electors, has caused a considerable amount of uneasiness in the public mind. Of course it needs no argument on our part to point out the great advantages which would result to the district from a connection with Sib Julius at any time, but more especially at the present critical period of our existence when such a large amount of our prosperity and future progress depends upon the success of the Harbor Bill, and the proposed railway scheme. No one is capable of doing us more good, and of permanently benefitting the district, both now and at a future time than Sin Julius, providing lie is returned as our representative ; but before we can hope to bring about such a desirable result, the whole of the gentlemen now in the field must unanimously decide to stand on one side. An unfair attempt has already been made in certain quarters, to lay the whole onus of this matter upon the shoulders of Mb. Locke, and we cannot regard the move in any other light than that of a sharp trick on the part of his enemies, though ostensibly coming from his professed friends. But whilst such an opinion must prove very flattering to Mit. Locke, as tending to show that he alone is regarded as the only candidate who really has the welfare of the district truly at heart, yet his friends must firmly resist any movement which has for its object the setting aside of Mr. Locke only. With a view' of placing this matter fairly before the public we may state that, having interviewed the three candidates, together with Mr. Stout, who called in here yesterday («;, route to Auckland) for the purpose of handing over an address from Sir Julius Vogel to Mr. Pkilcival Bmikeh, to be used according to circumstances. Mr. Locke at once agreed to sacrifice all personal considerations, should they in any way clash with the interests of the district, but at the same time he considered it a duty to his friends and supporters, to make it a positive condition to this arrangement that all the candidates should take the

same course. Mr. Gannon was also willing to place himself in the hands of his friends, but Mr. Bees took up a firm position against anything of the sort, and declared his intention of fighting the contest out, no matter who stands against him. Viewing matters from this point it is plain that we must give up all idea of nominating Sir Julius Vogel, and the whole onus of the rejection of this opportunity of permanently benefitting the district lies entirely at the door of the candidate who refuses to waive his chances of personal aggrandisement in favor of the general welfare. No clearer proof can be given as to who is most deserving of our support, and who may reasonably be expected to represent us in the true sense and meaning of the word. The public meeting, which is to be held to-night, will no doubt effectual! set this question at rest, and decide what is to be the future programme ; at the same time it must be clearly apparent to all Sir Julius Vogels’ friends, that unless the field is clear it would be injudicious to subject him to the probable chances of a defeat, and consequent political disgrace.