THE TARANAKI SEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 138, 6 December 1911, Page 4

THE TARANAKI SEAT.

Whatever may be the result of the eontest for the Tiranaki sent to-morrow, it Whatever may be the result of the conwill be admitted that the campaign has been conducted on the whole in a fair and square manner and that personalities and rancour that have characterised *ome of the other fights have been elements conspicuous by their absence. The fighting, what there has been of it, has been clean and healthy, and really helpful in enabling electors to understand all sides of the questions before the country. For this satisfactory state of things-the candidates are deserving of the thanks and the congratulations of the community, and we only hope the. combatants, in the remaining few hours left them in which to hurl their lances at one another will not spoil their good record. It is true, Mr. Forbes, the independent Opposition candidate, has been reckless and irresponsible in many of his statements, but that he will mislead the electors by his extravagances we do not believe, because the average elector, whatever his convictions, knows sufficient of politics not to accept mere assertion as truth, reckless use of words as criticism, or inordinate self-confidence and esteem as heaven-sent gifts. But Mr. Forbes has not been without his use in the contest—he has supplied' the comedy element. That ho will be. in at "the kill" lie is himself quite certain, but that his optimism is shared by many we do.not think. As a material factor in the contest we can. therefore rule out Mr. Forbes, leaving the present member and Mr. Bellringer in the lists. Between these candidates, as we need not tell electors, the fight will really lie. Who is the more worthy of support ? Who will make the better representative ? Who will better serve the interests of this important electorate and our expanding young country? Who is allied to the party who will better promote the advancement of the district and the country? These are questions which the elector has to think about and answer to-morrow at the (ballot. Mr. t Okey has been , in Parliament now for four and a-half years, and his record of service can be easily examined. That he Ims been an honest worker and done j what he considered his duty by his conI stituents anil the country can, we think be proved. He has been essentially a "detail" man. That, however, he 'has not risen above that mark and taken part with other representatives in the. larger questions and the real government of the country and been a true reflex of the intelligence and aspirations of his constituency is probably not his fault, and he should not be blamed. His failure is due to a cause over which he has no control—a lack of the necessary ability. The time has come now, however, when electors should seriously consider if they are prepared to give ft citizen with such palpable deficiencies and limitations a renewal of tenure, at a time which, all will acknowledge, is a critical ono in the history of this electorate. We, have been in a state of comparative stagnation for some years, but there is everv indication, what with our oil, ironsan'd and harbor development and the opening up of the hinterland of the province, that we are in for more prosperous times. Just how soon these will materialise depends in a largo measure upon tho kind of lead the place is given. Without effective leading, no district can truly advance and no movement be successful. What sort of leading have we had in the past from the gentleman occupying the highest public position in the power of the community to bestow? Electors must realise that tho quality has been indifferent, that, in fact, there has been | no leading, or attempt at leading, by our [ representative, who has been delightfully | oblivious to the necessity of awakening , to what tlie district wants and trying : to move things along. It is not that opportunities have not existed, for there is no place in New Zealand outside the chief centres that has the opportunities New Plymouth and its district possess. I

No ■business man would continue to cmploy an employee occupying an onerous position who had proved his lack of capacity and failure to keep the firms' end up all along the Jine, and no constituency should continue to support a representative who for the same reason has signally failed, to rise to the occasion. As we have said, the present is a most important period in our history, and more than ever is it necessary to have a representative able to truly represent the people and advocate 'thenneeds, and give them a lead in all matters pertaining to the district's advancement. It is not as if the electors have no other choice, for in Mr. Bellringer, the other candidate, they have a man who already shown his ability and earned his spurs as a public man. Our readers are acquainted with the services he has rendered in many capacities, and of his integrity and honesty of purpose (though we do wish it to be understood that Mr. Okey lacks either of the latter attributes) and must realise that as a representative Mr. Bellringer would prove equal to every demand and every responsibility, and could successfully take his place with the Dominion's most able men in the debates on the large questions awaiting a solution ,by the country. Mr. Bellringer's very life in the town has shown that he is quite sensible to his obligations as a citizen. and having shirked no duty, though it must have often entailed great sacrifices on his part. Having built up a large commercial business and being able, to practically sever himself from its trammels, he, in the full vigor of his manhood, offers his services *o the electors and is desirous of devoting himself to the advancement of the interests of the people. Electors have heard both men; they have 'been able to see for themselves who possesses the more ability; who advocates and is in sympathy with the more progressive political policy; and who is likely to more accurately represent their needs and the needs of the country in the councils of the Dominion, and if they are true to the duty thev owe to themselves, their town and their country, we have no doubt that they will effect a change in their representation as from to-morrow.