THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 131, 14 May 1884, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

[communicated.] Is not this question of the election capable of solution ? A solution whereby the interests of the whole electorate will be most strenuously conserved and the future well weal of our rapidly rising and important district considered most fully. Certainly is is, and though it is the habit, unfortunately, of many to jump readily and at once to a hasty conclusion, determining in a sort of selfsufficient manner that such and such a course is the best, the election question, it is to be

hoped, will not be settled in that offhand, careless style. No doubt a decision as to the best line of action to be taken should be as early as possible concluded, and where, as in this case, the major interests are identical, but very little debate and but a short period should determine the question. In fact, circumstanced as we are, and with the certainty that if an election takes place we shall lose the best part of the session, but one course is open to us, viz., that the candidates in the field, with their supporters, should agree to arrange for the retirement of all but one. In that cas > our Harbor Bill will be at any rate launched on its way, and the electors will have, not I only the benefit of being fully represented through the whole time of the session, but will practically present a lesson of sound common sense and discretion to the whole of New Zealand. It most fortunately occuis in this case that the retiring parties, would not be yielding or parting with their chance altogether, or for any length of time, but only for a few short months. They would not only have the inner conviction, and pleasant reflection, that they had conquered a most earnest desire, giving up a long coveted project, to do a public good, but what is more

than all, would gain the solid respect of tht whole of the electorate by so deferring their private desires to the general interests. Each candidate so acting would in a measure have more than ordinary claims upon the electors, and his future chances, most decidedly increased. This is a crisis which calls forth some of the nobier instincts of our nature. If the whole of the candidates steadily persist in contesting the seat now vacant, or if as may be the case, the supporters of each of the candidates determine to force them to the poll, the result will, to a surety, as already shown—and the whole of the electorate properly cl; das an obstinate, senseless, community, who. to gratify their present purpose will nut yield, but foolishly throw over their best chances; As Sir Julius Vogel has stated his willingness to represent us for a short period, why not all of them eave their money and chances — the more particularly as it has been clearly shown that the bulk of the electors would so desire it. The requisition to Sir Julius would have been signed to a man almost, if such had been the case; as it is, even now the most earnest friends of one of the candidates have done so, preferring to see him reserve his chances for a future occasion, and to give Bit Julius an opportunity at any rate of dcing us a substantial service. It is admitted on all sides that we could not possibly have a cleverer advocate ; then is not the fol.lv some* what more astounding if the rest of the candidates are rushed to the poll ? Their chances will be better at the next general election, and they will have had the satis* faction of saving their money. The election question is certainly easily settled. Let Sir Julius Vogel go in now at oi ce, unopposed, and then, at the next election, the gentlemen at present in the field can, as fully as they desire, contest it. That, if they will go on, and so cause the electorate to be unrepresented for a great portion of the session, the electors will bear that in mind. Should one hang out in spite of all, he will be well remembered, and at a future occasion will most assuredly reap the benefit of such senseless opposition.