The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 9, 1914. TO-MORROW'S POLL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 85, 9 December 1914, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 9, 1914. TO-MORROW'S POLL.

(With which is incorporated The Tuihape Post ').aa "Waimarino News.)

To-mcrrow residents of the Waimarino electorate .in conjunction with electorates of the Dominion, are called upon to elect a new Parliament. It is a duty cf an exceedingly urgent character, and its not being a compul sory one does not make it one whit less grave. During the e.eotiou campaign party warfare has been at white heat; each side has lost no opportunity to force into the highest light its own virtues, and equally determined to show up the weaknesses and delinquencies f the other. In fact, it is many years since party feeling has run so high. One side has made statements directly opposed to statements made by the other, and have thereby created positions that cannot, be reconciled, and bitter invective has resulted. The Regulations of Elections Act has done much to obliterate all objectionable features of parliamentary elections, still the "old Adam" in us has the tendency to drag us back to what obtained in the Old Country forty years ago, when factions had their fighting parties parading the streets with the emblems of their respective sides mounted on long poles. When these parties met: —too often designedly—a fight took place; bones were broken, heads smashed, and frequently fatalities occurred. We are moving on from such times, however, to a higher and, it is hoped, -a more cultured stage of our civilisation when even the bitternesses now too obvious will be less apparent, if still felt in the breast. It is indeed a glorious privilege that the lowest paid workingman should have the same right under the law in the election of a man to represent, him in Parliament as has the most wealthy and highesttitled being in our community. The right to the franchise is emphasised because it is within memory that many men were without political' rights altogether, while rich men held a multiplicity of votes. Let every man and woman in this electorate exercise thi s right, that has been so dearly bought; and to the best of their judgment vote for the progress and the future well-being of the community as a whole. Let us all remember that to-morrow is polling day.

MR. SMITH'S MEETING. Owing to this journal being politically independent, our readers have not been satiated, as the people inmost other electorates have b eon with cclumn s of political jargon, niu H of it of an unnecessary, unedif;l;';; and recriminating character, fv lay to day. Short messages ci im rr

required of us. Last night, however, ft function took place that we may be expected to notice. Mr. R. W. Smith, the sitting member for this electorate, for the first time during the present campaign, addressed the electors in this, the most populous centre of the electorate, and he certainly has every reason to be proud cf the reception he met with. During a long journalistic career it wculd be difficult to recall a meeting that was so unanimous, wellbehaved, and so much in sympathy with the candidate as Mr. Smith's meeting was last night. Mr. • Smith' ought to feel additionally honoured by having such a large proportion of. lady voters present. The candidate's speech was a fair one from every point of view, and he showed a commendable desire to avoid the objectionable personal features that too often obtrude themselves on such occasions. We may differ from Mr. 'Smith on. some points, but as a party speech it was a direct and distinctly straightforward effort. There was no question about the heartiness of the vote of confidence that was accorded him, and if our Reform friends intend putting up a good fight, judging from last night's meeting solely, they have to leave no stone unturned. We can only hope that Mr. Speed's meeting to-night will be as satisfactory to him as last night's must have been to Mr. Smith.