South Canterbury Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1881.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2720, 7 December 1881, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1881.

Lovers of the Histrionic art gratify their particular tastes in a variety of ways. Some prefer high tragedy, others low comedy, while a large number favor the production of burlesque and farcical political representations. Those whose predilections lean to the latter section of the art had an excellent opportunity of gratifying their tastes last evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall ; and judging by the uproarious applause and good-tem-pered mirth which reverberated through that building for nearly two hours, the “ free show ” must have been greatly appreciated. The chief actor in the drama last evening was Mr J. T. Partridge, one of the candidates nominated for the representation of Timaru in the House of Representatives, who gave, what he termed in true parliamentary language, his “ address in reply.” We expected to hear something new from Mr Partridge, but we were disappointed. His speech was in substance the same as that given by him about a fortnight ago, and which we reported in full. We shall spare our readers the infliction of a repetition of it. Mr Partridge’s principal reason for again addressing the electors appeared to be to assure his supporters—the members of the Labor League —that he intended to go to the poll at all hazards. He said it had been reported about town that he was going to withdraw from the contest, but the report was untrue. He would, to use his own words, “go to the poll whether his friends went there to support him or not. The League had been pictured in a cartoon as a bundle of broken reeds through which he had fallen at the poll. He did not believe the reeds would break, but if they were likely to, he would endeavor to bind them together, and whether they broke or not he would be found standing.” The metaphor is good, and under more favorable cir-

cumstances it might be worthy of some consideration ; but does Mr Partridge for a moment believe that the electors of Tiraaru would so far forget the qualities that are necessary in their parliamentary representative as to elect him ? Mr Partridge may say so, but we are certain that he is not so verdant as to believe it. The most pertinent question pot to Mr Partridge during the evening was the one, “ Are you not canvassing for Mr Gibson ?” Mr Partridge denied the mild impeachment, and we are prepared to give him credit for the truthfulness of his reply, so far as direct canvassing for Mr Gibson is conceited. But we assert most distinctly that in Mr Partridge’s own canvass he is indirectly canvassing for Mr Gibson, the Conservative candidate. Mr Partridge has not the remotest chance of being elected, and we say unhesitatingly and advisedly that every vote that is polled for him will mean practically a vote for Mr Gibson. We therefore warn the working men—the members of the Labor League—not to throw away their votes. We give this advice in their own interest, and in no dictatorial spirit, and we sincerely hope it will be taken. Mr Turnbull is the candidate of progress in the present contest ; he has served his constituents honestly and well in the past, and while carefully watching and guarding the interests of all classes—as is the duty of our representatives in Parliament—he has been a thorough good friend to the working man, and what is better and more commendable in his public actions in the latter respect, he has not made an ostentatious show of it. No man—not even one of M" Turnbull’s opponents during the present election —can accuse him of ever having done anything which could be construed by the narrowest minded and most vindictive of his political enemies into oppression of, or injustice to the working man. The very contrary is the fact, indeed it has been made the “ very head and front of hia

■offending” with the Conservative class. Do not the latter constantly assert that “ Turnbull is good enough in his way, but he is too much of a working man’s candidate ?” This being so, why, we ask, should the working man forsake him ? They will not forsake him. We are confident they will rally round him on the polling day, and—forgetting all little trivial differences—show thesupporters of the Conservative candidate that they have too ranch enthusiasm and warm gratitude in their composition to allow their political enemies to crush him. The recent extension of the franchise—and who, by the way, but Mr Turnbull, was the chief advocate of the residential vote ?—has placed a great power in the hands of the working classes, and that power should be used judiciously and with effect. Can it be used in either of those ways by spiffing votes, and endangering the object that is so anxiously sought ? We say no, and we are convinced that when the members of the Labor League—at all events the great majority of them—consider the question calmly and quietly, as its importance for their future welfare deserves, they will arrive at the same conclusion. Do not let them be led away by demagogues whose greatest and perhaps only merit is, that they, to use an American expression, “ are good on the speak.” We have heard it said by some of them, “We do not believe that Partridge will be elected, but the League will poll their votes for him in order to show their strength.” We do not believe the League will do anything- of the kind. They have many considerate, thoughtful men among them—men who are not likely to be led away by such idiotic claptrap ; men who will not destroy their political birthright by throwing it into a useless channel; men who know how to value and look after their own true interests, and the interests of their children who are to live after them. Opposition is the soul of electioneering, as it teaches the representative, whoever he may be, that ho cannot buy his seat too cheap. It also shows him that his constituents are alive to the great power and responsibilities they place in his hands, and is an evidence that they will watch that those powers and responsibilities are properly used. It is but right that the everyday monotony of business should be relieved by some fun at election times, but fun at elections, like all other good things of this world, must come to an end some time. When the enemy is in the camp we must let our frivolity cease, and we must combine together seriously with all the weapons at our disposal to annihilate him. The enemy is now in the camp, and we must use our weapons—our votes — and with a strong, determined, and united effort, we must gain the victory for the Liberal party at all hazards. Therefore we say, let the electors of Timaru throw aside all differences, and not split their votes, but go to the poll at the Court House on Friday and re-elect our old and well tried representative, Mr Turnbull, by an oveiAvhelming majority. Let the watchword be “ The Liberal cause.”