GENERAL ELECTION.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3993, 15 October 1881, Page 2

GENERAL ELECTION.

The following letter appears id a Nelson paper, and as it contains good advice, it may be read with interest :—

(To the Editor of the Colonist).

Sib, —At the close of the session, when the business of tbe couatry has been faithfully managed and decorously brought to aa end; when the measures introduced by the Government hare not beea of a revolutionary character, calculated to render supremely unhappy one half of the population ; when the aiost sacred of all our laws, the Standing Orders, have been obeyed; when the legislation has been of an even-handed character; when Ministerial promises have been faith* fully kept; when members can look with satisfaction on the result of their labours; - when the country marks its approval by desiring no change; then the affairs of the country are in safe keeping, and no one-sided administration during tbe recess is to bo apprehended; then we may safely predict a substantial progress to the colony. No truer, maxim wai ever uttered than " that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand/'. It is a home thrust for Ne.w Zealand.

The session of 1881 stands unparalleled, inasmuch as during the period of itt existence the country has been excited almost beyond enduruuce, and has only by the forbearance of the people been saved from insurrection. A cruel insult and wrong has been 'forced upon a loyal section of the Colony, and one half the Colony has been unsettled by a vexatious bill. The future is without hope for the weak. A stern and needless lesson has been taught the people—" Expect nothing unless you have a majority." So be it. The industrial classes must therefore work at the forthcoming election for a majority, and the work must be of a character that takes no denial. You have the ballot, therefore vote only for men who will pledge themselves to legislate for the gensral good, and to give every man a fair chance, whether rich or poor, and especially to give "one man only one vote." The Hall Ministry boasts of this measure (vilh a. population basis. Good; keep them to their word. But let the election cry be " one vote for one man," which is not their cry. Would you believe, however, that under the guise of lib they have. really ' forced upon the country A measure by which the poor voter cau only have one vote and the man of property m y have and exercise fifteen, or more votes. In the interests of the Colony I protest that fcne bill is not a fair one; it is a class bill; it is a bill forced through the House at the expense of breaking the law, for the Standing Orders are law ; it is a bill that does no credit to the farmers; that upon its merits nearly all those who voted for it were studiously silent; that unduly favors one portion of the Colony to the manifest injury of the other portion; it is a bill that should not remain on the Statute Book of New Zealand; i and, finally, it is a bill that, notwithstanding the cunning with which it was sought to be made law, the country will repeal at the first opportunity.

In conclusion, I say to the industrial class-, form an alliance and secure a majority who will make just laws and nob surrender tbe privileges of the House to the Speaker, the Chairman of Committees, or any other member.

\ A very safe way in the forthcoming election h to choose from your own ciass. The middle class men are nearly always true Liberals, and their interests are identical with the working classes. Bvmember that some Conservatives will be returned, notwithstandiag all your endeavor. But remember it is vole by ballot; work well for a majority; and never forgot what the majority did in 1881. Th refore, organise! organise! organise !—Yours, &c,

Colonial.