CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 174, 4 July 1884, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

Wu do not hold ourselves responsible (or the opinions expressed by our correspondents.)

THE WORKING MEN’S POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Recognizing fully the great impon tance of the newly-formed Association, I with many others feel considerable anxiety as to the success of its first endeavor, In the first place it is thought by a good few that as there is only such a very short time left now, until the election comes off, that it will be impossible to get a ballot taken all through the district, that is, taken fairly | and in that case any decesion of the Association as regards supporting any one of the candidates, will be only getting the views of a section, and not just to the whole, thereby opening up a feeling of disaffection prejudical to the interests of the Association. Then again it is recognized, how easily it will be for the Conservative party to arrange to have a strong body of their supporters on the roll of the Association who will make an endeavour to turn the ballot here in favor of that Liberal candidate who they know will only poll very badly all through the rest of the district. It won’t do to run away with the idea that no one would lend himself to such double dealing, for it is known that before now, animals called men, have been sneaks enough to belong to the committee of one candidate, and yet work themselves on to another, in older to find out all that was going on, and have afterwards boasted of their cleverness. In fact it has been too generally allowed that all is fair, not only in love and war, but still more so in electioneering. Unfortunately the depravity of human nature is too often apparent, and the Association must keep alive to that fact, and further that they have keen evils to encounter in the Conservative party, and who poß* sess a golden key to unlock all difficulties. In fact it will not be at all surprising to learn that the Conservative candidate will steadily and decidedly range up up under the Liberal banner, and readily subscribe to all the Association articles, feeling pretty certain that ways and means will present themselves out of any future difficulties that may arise through ignoring, or con* . venicntly forgetting, some of the promises made. Altogether, situated as we are, with the probability of having two Liberal candi* dates going to the poll, too much care cannot be exercised in any and everything that is done. It is just possible that there may be only the one Liberal in the field. In that case the duties of the Association will be comparatively light, and should such a fortunate event be brought about it must he principally due to the patriotism and philanthropy of one gentleman, who will certainly secure as his just due, if not the honor of being our representative, certainly the honest, heartfelt thanks of every member of the community, in relinquishing his chancesj be they remote or otherwise, to the general interests of the East Coast electorate. Such deferment of his claims on this occasion will bear good fruit, and a lively remembrance of such willingness to retire in order to strengthen the position of another, will be gratefully entertained by all. As it stands now, it so happens that one of the Liberal candidates has most decidedly pledged himself : in fact, did so at the 'Bl election. Of course, at that time little dreaming that an Association of

the nature now formed would be called into existence, and having so pledged himself, cannot very well now withdraw, and as he bus risen steadily into public favor, as shewn by the last record at the poll, would appear, indeed to be the best choice of the Association, as the probabilities of a successful candidature are certainly most in his favor as against that of the Conservative member. If two Liberals contest the seat neither will succeed, and the representative and ally of the Conservatives top the poll. That there shall be two Liberals in the field is their most earnest aim and intention, and to prevent this and focus the interests of the Liberal party should be the aim and endeavor of the Association. If they succeed in this, that is, arranging so that there shall be only one Liberal candidate in the field, though then, even im that case, the contest will be keen. Yet, victory will crown their efforts, and the first big endeavor of this important association, meet with the thorough success it will so richly deserve. So mote it be. Fides.