THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 229, 22 December 1893, Page 4

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

‘The King is dead. Long live the King.’ "We can imagine that this old cry was very familiar to the ears of some of our forefathers ; those of them who lived in times when kings followed each other on the throne and to the grave in rapid succession. Happily for us we have lived through many long years of a peaceful prosperous reign : those of us who are well on in life never heard that shout, following the trumpet blast of the old herald ; and we are quite content to hope that the proclamation may be deferred for an indefinite period. Bui; we have another king—King Demos —who has come among us to stay : without in any way disturbing tk ■ peaceful reign of our good Queen; but rather (strange as it may appear to our American brethren, and others) adding stability to the ancient throne yet taking into his powerful hands nearly all, the work that Was done in a rough and ready way by the monarch himself in the long ago. We have lately had two drills in King Demos’ service, fiist as he marshalled his hosts for the County Council contests, aud now the greater hosts in the more exciting Colonial elections ; and yet we have to prepare for another contest in March to ascertain what is the will of our new powerful ruler in the matter of the drink traffic. How by a. strange whim of this erratic Majesty _«.or of those who caught him napping and spoke from his temple in his name—the conditions attached to the coming elections are peculiar, aud it will require very much care and time on the part of those who work for the right to get from • the sovereign people ’ the correct voice. Some people are inclined to take it for granted that King Demos owes his existence to John Bull ; but the now powerful monarch was in existence many centuries ago : it is true that bis constitution was by no means good, and for very long periods he exercised such little influence that he might appear as if dead ; In John Bull’s household, and in the new homes of the old man’s robust children, the King has been well fed ; and ho has gathered strength, and is wielding power that still shows signs of increasing. By a strange turn in the whirligig of change it has come to pass that the same mighty arm that has been striking off fetter after fetter of ancient, abuses and giving us liberty not dreamt of by our fathers, is now engaged in forging fetters far mere powerful to put on the limbs of some of our evil customs —and we say ‘so let it be.’ John Bull has been called a thirsty soul; he has been given to satisfy his cravings by ‘ strong potations’; and his children have—m a lesser degree followed the bad example. In this Colony we hive asked King Demos to interfere, and in many places the response has been favourable. Still there is dissatisfaction, and in March next the monarch is to be asked to speak •gain, unfortunately under conditions that the Toice may give an uncertain sound. As we •hall have to abide by the decision then arrived at for a period of three years it behoves us to be preparing. Very few people have made themselves acquainted with the working of the new Licensing Act: in our district—the Bay of Islands electorate —the difficulties are increased not only because of the size of the district and scattered character of the settlements, but most of all on accoui.t of the fact that the people living in the Hobson County part know little about the more northern counties, and very few of the northern settlers have been ‘ on the river.’ But it will not do for those friends of temperance who wish to hold the drink traffic in check to he afraid of the difficulties. Everyone should know that the old licensing committees elected by the ratepayers, acting in the small districts, are passed away ; we now have to elect eight men by means of the parliamentary roll, who with the K.M. (beg pardon S.M ) as chairman, ■rill act for all this great district. If matters re allowed to drift those who are anxious to V ook a fter the interests of the trade will have no difficulty in finding men to do their bidding; ’heir business connections centreing in Auckland citv, enables them to select men anywhere. The uncertainties, of the outcome of the voting under the new regulations make it absolutely necessary that the temperance people shall take some steps to work together. As a beginning we propose that three good men be looked out m the ! Hobson County, and we will try to get the names of five men from the Northern counties so +hat the united names will go before the electors This is a difficult yet important undertaking—'ve invite co-operation—and will report from week M week how the work goes on