The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1914. THE LAST SHOT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 294, 10 December 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1914. THE LAST SHOT.

The linal platform splutter in connection with the Stratford Electoral campaign last night attracted big crowds. Mr Mine had a large and happy meeting in His Majesty’s Theatre, and in his plain way retailed some plain politics. Mr Hawkins, enthroned in front of the Egmont Club, was joyously entertaining to a big and wondering, but, we fear, sceptical crowd. Everything passed off well and pleasantly enough, the “Donnybrook” some people anticipated—and sad to say even hoped would eventuate —did not come to pass, but the big drum did some beating. The candidate more than hinted that he had in his possession the promise of Sir Joseph Ward that il lie became a member of Parliament the railway from Stratford to Kaponga would be commenced almost at o'nce. Of course from Mr Hawkins’ standpoint this was a perfectly proper tiling to do, though on the very eve of an election even “Tory” politicians might hesitate to put such a suggestion forth. A good deal was said about the Town Hall affair—an incident which in the minds of most people is looked upon as rather a joke, merely exemplifying how two parties anxious to secure one particular plum were both loft lamenting at the last moment. Ol course Mr Hawkins’ astounding suggestion of Cabinet intervention .and political corruption in high places is simply farcical, but it raised the desired laugh. When the campaign opened this Gallant Knight, who came to a strange territory to tilt a lance with the wicked Tories, announced a brave policy of “Pure Polities with Personalities Strictly Prohibited,” “The Truth and “Nothing but the Truth,” ami “Fair Play all Round.” But we grieve to say there was strong evidence last night of deterioration and a decided departure from the fine platform laid down. For instance: While wo certainly want the railway and eon. . sider Stratford is neglected in not oh tabling it, some evilly-disposed persons might have almost termed Mr Hawkins’ statement of Sir Joseph Ward’s promise, an election bribe. Again the candidate’s promise to avoid personalities was forgotten in the somewhat coarse allusions to certain well-known men, and if we had not known Mr Hawkins so well and had not heard him reiterate his loving regard, we should be inclined to think the pose he, adopted towards the “Stratford Post” savored of the basest ingratitude. Mr Hawkins has been more than well treated by this paper during this campaign and be knows it perfectly well, but several of bis statements made last evening can only be termed (we never use strong language) “(or-

miuological inexactitudes.” Mo must bo pardoned for just alluding passingly to this matter, because it is personal to the honor of this paper. Had Mr Hawkins been longer resident in the district, he would have known the “Stratford Post” is absolutely in-j dependent, and that the onus oi what docs appear, or does not appear, in its columns, rests entirely upon the itdi-j tor. The proprietary which Mr Hawkins maligns, ho may not know, includes the man who is probably the most steadfast member of the Liberal Party in the electorate, and who is certainly one of the most popular and most-respected of those actively associating themselves with Party politics on the side on which Mr Hawkins is to-day standing, and a man who but for health reasons would have been contesting the Stratford election to-day instead of Mr Hawkins himself. So far as reporting his meetings is concerned, Mr Hawkins was placed on exactly the same footing as Mr J. B. •Hine. Some years ago Mr Hawkins was associated with a newspaper in the young and rising township of 1 Pahiatua, and he should know better than make the rather stupid and certainly untrue charges lie is so fond of exploding about the Press of New Zealand. One is almost inclined to believe that ho belonged to that rather irresponsible school of half-journalists whose motto was. and possibly still is “A Little Bit Invented and a Little Bit Inferred.” All Mr Hawkins’ statements regarding the “Stratford Post” come under this heading. In point of fact, in wisely declining to publish the letter which Mr Hawkins desired us to print we were saving him (and incidentally ourselves) from an action for libel, and it was at least ungrateful to make a! statement in public so entirely contrary to fact as to lead people to suppose that the advertisement which appeared in another journal was “word lor Word” the same as the statement contained in the letter which we declined to publish. Mr Hawkins cannot deny that he desired to convey this impression, and if he has not altogether forgotten himself he must admit Ins wrongdoing in this matter. We make these few remarks in kindness of spirit and merely in protection of the honor of this journal. To the great majority of reader? Mr Hawkins’ statements do not matter one brass farthing, but there are, as before stated, people who are always ready to swallow slander anc vilification as a sweet morsel, and t( enjoy passing such “spicy” tit-bit? on to all who may be foolish enough tf listen. Of course this is not politics but merely an explanation and that i all we have to 'say about it.