The Rangitikei Election.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4474, 12 October 1909, Page 2

The Rangitikei Election.

The “ Farmers’ Advocate,” refeiring to the above, says :—“ On the other hand, the defeated candidate, MrF. F. Hockly, has shown himself a good fighting man, and has come through with honour. He has the satisfaction of knowing that he retains the confidence of the farming community, and that although his time to represent the farmer in Parliament is not yet, in due course it will come. In a district where the farmers are the abiding population—though at present in a minority, it will sooner or later bo necessary to have a farmers’ representative. The sawmillers and the town rotors have, by the joint efforts of the Ministers of the Crown and other helpers been hoodwinked into a combination of forces of the most unmixablo cleuieuts, which for the present has out-numbered the rural vote. If there is one lesson more than another to be learned from the contest, it is the necessity for the farmer standing solid for the farmers’ candidate, and sinking party differences to secure his return. There is little doubt that in the recent struggle the interference of the party leaders obscured the issues that divided the first poll, and which gave Mr Hockly such a substantial lead, and while, perhaps, we cannot blame either party for seeking to strengthen its hold, farmers would be well advised to place I’IHST the qualifications of the candidate as a farmers’ representative, and afterwards those of the party he may be inclined to support. Judged from that standpoint we h ive no hesitation in saying that Mr Hockly fulfils the requirements, and though he is compelled by the force of circumstances to stand aside for the present, wo trust that he will again come forward at the first opportunity, and meet with the support ho so fully deserves. So far as the Feehold question is concerned the election has been a decided victory for the farmers. The Ministerial Party are now pledged to the Feehold policy, and wo are not without hope that the matter of granting the option to Crown tenants, on the basis so long demanded by the Farmers’ Union, will be brought up in Parliament, and with a strong Freehold Party in the House, the right of purchase should become ah accomplished fact.