POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 286, 12 May 1915, Page 4

POLITICAL.

BAY OJj* ISLANDS TANGLK. • CASK AG AINST THE GOVERN- > MIS3ST. j By Telegraph, (Special to Daily News.) , Wellington, Last Night. One may safely prophesy that the Opposition will seek information about the Bay of l.sltnuls election, whieji haa been declared void by two Judges of the Supreme Court. Their decision haa punished Air. Vernon Reed by disqualifying him for twelve months, and thia penalty will necessarily make him feel keenly the gravity of his electioneering offence. The main charge proved against him to the satisfaction of til* Court wan that he used the offer ol a seat in the Legislative Council as an inducement to Mr. Wilkinson to leav« the field clear for a duel between Mr. , Reed and Dr. Te Rangihiroa. An offer of a legislative councillorship to Mr.. Wilkinson naturally prompts the queation: "To what extent is the Government culpable 1" The evidence does not establish, indubitably, a Government • baching for Mr. Reed's conduct, but it puts the Government in a position which calls for explanation. An average per-, son may form an opinion from the evidence that in 1913, as the result of overtures in which Mr. Reed has a part, the Ministry was apparently willing to consider the matter of appointing Mr. Wlknson to the Upper House, That time was remote from the general elections, but it was well known in the electorate that Mr. Wilkinson had not abandoned his intention to try again' for a . place in the Lower House. Mr ; Reed • had submitted that North Auckland was , entitled to representation in the.Coun-.. cil, and his first preference, he stated; in Court, was .Mr. Johnson. However,, Mr. Wilkinson was eventually put for-C ward as a suitable member, i>uE ,he did]) not wish to have such greatness thrust >. upon him in that manner.

The case against the Government ia. the public view is that in 1013 it seemed' williwr (o have an awkward problem.-* solved by opening the portals of th*., Legislative Council to Mr,. Wilkinson. Between the original "Reformer" and' '■he converted "Reformer" the Govern-, incut's lot was palpably unhappy. How. much did this predicament influence th» Government's attitude in 1913, and later on? That is the very important'question to which the people await-mi answer. In 1011. when the Massey*Party, stood on a platform of reform. on« plank was a remodelling of ■ the Lopgiativft, Council, the changing, of the ofd mudK abused nominative system. On present appearances that profession-seems a misfit with the Wilkinson ease, even on th* basis of events in 1013. but before passing final judgment on tho Government's part in a ease which has an ugly complexion the public will- w K it for further' necessary evidence.