CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 152, 9 June 1884, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents). THE COMING STRUGGLE. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Some Frenchman or other has said, une idee. vaut di niille livres, which may be taken to mean, “ the straight tip is worth going snacks for.” So far neither of [the local papers have attempted to give the “ straight tip ” as to the most fit candidate, and they have thus displayed a wise discrimination, for has not the Danbury Newsman told us that “ he who predicts contrary to the masses, should take cars that his predictions are not verified ; for the masses don’t like it.” It is the duty of every voter to search out and decide for himself from the arguments, and professions made by the candidates themselves the most worthy object on which to bestow their patronage. The weight of evidence as put forth in the public prints has been, however, greatly in favor of Mr. Locke, and the meeting at Makaraka on Saturday night was another unmistr.’;eable evidence that the odds are vastly in favor of an honest Locke as opposed to shifting bolts and bars. The only argument that has, or can be, adduced against Mr. Locke as being the best man is that he is not an orator. I ask any elector which is the most reliable man to deal with : the honest merchant who offers his goods at a fair profit, or the brawling, howling cheap jack who throws his wares at you at ninety per cent below cost ? There is but one answer to the question* Is not the man who has bought land and paid for it honestly more likely to advance the interests of his fellow settlers than he who owes every shilling he possesses to cadjoling and the “ gift of the gab ?” Indignation is a noble sentiment where it is felt and expressed by unjustly assailed virtue; but was it such indignation which prompted Mr. Gannon when he made those (to him), clever remarks about sitting upon a rail ? decidedly not. The voice only was Jacob’s but the skin was Esau’s. Has Mr. Gannon ever answered without reservation or equivocation the question which has been put to him at every one of his meetings, as to which side he is on ? No! He has given what some of his supporters call a shrewd answer. It was tne same shrewdness which prompted Mr. Rees when he told us that the vote which the Grey administration had fiiven to every man was not his to use as his conscience directed, him. A precious gift one would think, which he is required to dispose of according to the dictation of the giver. An ounce of solid sense given in a straightforward way, is worth a bushel of high faultin’. Sincerity is to speak as we think—to be what we appear to be. The question at issue is plain. The electors have to choose between commonsense plainly expressed, and meaningless oratorical frills and other decorations; between sincerity and shuffling; in short between truth and fiction. Let us then decide upon common sense, commercial stability, sincerity and truth. Cheap Jack’s are safest outside the Legislature.—l am ( &c., Elector.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—Mr. Locke’s meeting on Saturday eve. ning last at Makaraka, was I presume called for the benefit of the electors of that partumlar portion of the district, but what do we find, that it is considered advisable by some of Mr. Locke’s most prominent supporters to attend, take the chief seats, and endeavour to coach public opinion, and if that should not answer, to obstruct and howl down any who might attempt to speak if there words were not in favor of the views of their chief. At this meeting several persons, who have the good of this district at heart, wished to speak, either in favor or against the amendment, but confusion ensued owing to the conduct of the parties who attended the candidate from town. This conduct is. to be deplored on the part of those who think that it adds to the chance of the election of the person of their choice, the effect is quite contrary it detracts from the candidates fitness to represent this, or any other electorate, because it clearly shows that he is willing, if needs be, to walk in crooked paths, for he holds the power to restrain his supporters. .... Mr. Locke at his meeting tells us that he considers it advisable to have two sets of laws in regard to Native lands, one for the loyal and one for the King Natives. Here is food for thought with a vengeance. . A number of those present were desirous ox hearing an explanation from. Mr. Locke on the foregoing, out owing to the unseemly behaviour of his supporters those persons were debarred from the same. Makaraka, 9th June. Fair Play.