AN ELECTION LIE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 138, 2 December 1911, Page 4

AN ELECTION LIE.

'"All's fair in love and war." ami many politicians would 1 iko to salve their consciences liy adding, "and politics." Apropos, an evil little canard was industriously circulated at the Stratford show to the effect that 110 cattle would be condemned by the Government authorities this side of the genera! elections. The only teaman for the circulaiton of this untruth is that it may be believed that the Government is so debased that it will use any nefarious device to obtain votes. The Government Veterinarian for the Taranaki district, who was on the Stratford show ground, found it necessary on enquiry to deny the charge, and it is a little pitiable that such untruths should have to be explained away. So many mean devices are used to mislead the public at election times that the use of them stamps those employing them as wilfully dishonest. The supposition is that in order to gain a greater measure of problematical popularity a Government department is coearced into neglecting its business and that a very necessary protection to the public is temporarily removed. Such rumors are unworthy of people who aro supposed to be enlightened citizens of a free country.