The Wairoa Bell. AND Hobson County Gazette. FRAIDAY, MARCH 3rd.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 187, 3 March 1893, Page 5

The Wairoa Bell. AND Hobson County Gazette. FRAIDAY, MARCH 3rd.

Our contemporary, after throwing- oat several baits for information but finding no silly fish about, makes a bolder bid to learn what chance there is for the so—called gumdiggers’friend to emerge from his ostracism.

“ Our next Member ?” is the query put for ward by our friend with his usual unblushing effrontery, and then he begins in language very much like our own of three years ago to advocate timely and well-con-certed action. All this is very good ; but those who were here at last election will doubt our contemporary’s sincerity, and feel inclined to say that if our district has lo3t anything by not being represented by a local man then the fault lies with our contemporary and the friend whose selfish interests it upholds. Few will have forgotten the actions of Mr J. M. Dargaville at the last elections, the positive assertions made by him which were not verified, his connection with thegumdiggers’ Union, and the many other matters in his political and ex-political career. And those who know will, we think, very readily reply to our contemporary’s query, and say “ Not you, sir.” Why are we not now represented by a local man ? This is a question which our contemporary should closely and honestly study, for by doing so he might be brought to a better state of unselfishness in which to enter upon the coming elections. Our friend in emphasising the statement “ that if there is to be more than one Wairoa candidate a remote northerner will assuredly again gain the election ” seems to have just awakened to what was repeatedly urged by us three years ago, but selfishness is very blind and that may possibly account for the slow awakening. Of all likely candidates from this district we know of only one who, j udging by past experience, would not be prepared to stand back in favour of a more suitable local candidate, so that if the 1 old politician ’ who has been so often rejected will practice what he preaches the danger will be but small, As to ten or twelve trus'ed representative residents selecting a candidate and other aspirants pledging themselves to loyally support him, the proposal though simple enough is just about impracticable. Would our contemporary consider himself a trusted representative ? Would the “ old politician’s ” promise of loyal support be worth any more than it was three years ago ? Mr Houston told us in his election addresses that he had received strong promises of support from the very man who at the last moment came out in opposition to biin and tried to set the gumuiggers against him. Our opposition to Mr Houston at last election (and which opposition almost cost him his election in spite of the evil split on the Wairoa) arose principally from his decided utterances against the land tax and other liberal measures which were then not so far advanced as they now are. But Mr Houston’s actions in the House have been very much more to our liking than we anticipated they would have been, and he proved himself a warm supporter of the Liberal party which now holds the guiding reins for the Colony. We agree heartily with our contemporary in urging that whatever man is chosen to represent us he must be a supporter of the Liberal party and government now in office. This we urge for the sake of the country at large, and to it we would sacrifice all purely local matters. By all means let us, if possible, secure the election of a local Liberal representative, but let us not sell the interests of the bone and sinew of our land for a few hundred pounds in prospective. The Tory Association is active and wily and will probably make a bid for the Bay of Islands seat so that Liberals must be true to party at all hazards. We are assured that the Hobson County, though it has been greatly slighted and overlooked, is very largely in favour of the present Government as opposed to the Tory Opposition.

Mr Houston has seemingly forgotten our existence as a part of his electorate and cannot blame us if we seek to supplant him by another Liberal ; and if lie lias the true interests of his party at heart and has not developed into an office-seeker, he will not object to stand aside for a man more acceptable to Liberals in all parts of his electorate. It is time something was being done towards laying our plans for the next election, and we would suggest that all those aspiring to the office of M.H.R. for the Bay of Islands should even now make their intentions known. If a man thinks he can serve his country iathe House better than is new being done let him boldly declare himself and learn public opinion in time to withdraw if necessary. The man

who at the last moment unsolicited declare 8 himself is generally a political schemer who has his eyes on the dollars, and not his country’s good.