TO THE EDITOR.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 157, 14 June 1884, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —In your issue of last night appeared a letter above the signature of “ Liberal.” Who Mr. “Liberal ” is I do not pretend to say, but that he is some paid scribe I have not the slightest doubt, judging by the whole tenor of his letter. He states that the show of hands was in favor of Mr. Rees. Granted it was so; but who were the people who held up their hands in favor of that particular candidate ? Were they the people who have any stake in the district ? Were they the employers of labor ? Were they the people possessing that grand quality on which Mr. Rees prided himself so much—namely, those possessing brains? No conscientious person can answer these queries but in the negative. They were not, I state emphati* cally. And how many persons held up two hands instead of one ? Pehaps the irrepres* siblo so-called Captain Tucker can answer this question if he does not attempt in his usual grandiloquent style to say a great deal in reply without giving a straightforward answer. Moreover, I should like to learn how many non-electors—persons who will have no vote on the polling day—held up their hands in favor of Mr. Rees ? How many boys were rushed round to the front of the Returning Officer ? These are miserable subterfuges that I venture to say would not be adopted by either of the other candidates. I am not in a minority, as the polling day will prove in expressing my disgust at the tactics adopted by “ the party,” the Greyites. The phrase stinks in the nostrils. Party indeed. They are like the disjointed members of a human frame, seeking to assert their individuality in the various parts of the Colony. The quotation from honest Bret Harte

“ That for ways that are dark. And for tricks that are vain.”

this particular section of our political world is peculiar, is happily for our well being, applicable to them only. The idea of them calling themselves “ Liberals.” What are they liberal with ? Nothing but promises which, like the proverbial pie crusts are only made to be broken. We are all “ Liberals ” in this Colony, whatever particular political leader we may follow, and it is sheer nonsense for such as Mr. Rees to talk about the Conservative party, with the view of misleading the working men. Politicians are simply divided into two classes—excepting those who blindly follow Sir. George Grey—that is to say those who support the Ministry of the day, and those who are in opposition. If the bulk of the electors look to their own interests they will pause ere they are led away by empty speeches—by bushels of words containing a very small amount of real meaning when the chaff is sifted away. I would say to them--look where your best interests lie—see which side the solid men of the place are taking —those who have a real stake in the district—those who are reliable—those who really employ labor, and assist to support the woiking man. I say let themjudgefor themselves, and they can arrive at but one opinion that the “ Liberal ” parly, and its supporters, are friends of the working man. I say Mr. Locke’s supporters are the true friends of working classes, and if he suffers a defeat it will be a lasting disgrace to the district.—l am &c., Mark My Words. Gisborne, 10th June, 1884.