Wanganui Chronicle AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 1880.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 7108, 5 May 1880, Page 2

Wanganui Chronicle AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 1880.

Rather late in the day Mr Donald Frasor has announced himself to bo a candidate, for the JKangitikei seat, and has issued a lengthy address to the electors. By far the greater portion of what he says relates to his reasons for not supporling Sir William Fox, but however (satisfactory they may appear to Mr Fraser, very little weight will, we think, be attached to them by the constituency, and certainly not by the colony at large. The grounds of the opposition, as stated by Mr Fraser, are, Firstly — That in the way in which • Sir William Fox commenced the contest, . ho displayed a want of respect for the Eansjitikei electors ; and, secondly — That Sir William docs not possess the qualifications required in a representative of Hangitikei at the present time. Under the first heading it is impossible lo see how Sir William Fox is open to censure. Ke-. ceiving Mr Fraser's own version of what toot place as correct, we find that as soon aB Sir William Fox became aware that a vacancy was about to occur in the repre* sentation of the district, he began his canvass. This seems to us the best course lie could have pursued under the circumstances, and not one of which the electors have any riu'ht to complain. "He at once," says Mr Fraser, " began stumping the district before many of us were aware that there was any vacancy. I object to this intoto, and, apart from all other considerations, I should vole against the election of such a man, simply because he, l>y lending himself to such a hole-and-corner proceeding, shows himself wanting in the first requisite of a representative — a proper and true respect for the body represented." It is obvious that it was no part of Sir \Vi)lia m Fox's duty, as a private citizen or as an elector, to warn the constituent either that a resignat'on had taken place or was about to take place ; but as soon as he thought of becoming a candidate ho was amply justified in endeavouring by a canvass to ascertain what measure of support was likely to be accorded him. If Major Willis' resignation, or contemplated resiguation, was not previously knonn throughout the electorate, those to whom Sir William Fox spoke of it were rather bound to thank him for the information than blame him for want of respect to the electors. We are not hero discussing the manner or reason of Mnjor Willis* resignation, though we may remark in passing that there does not seem to be anything in the surrroundiug circumstances to which exception can be taken by reasonable men, and it is absurd to suppose that any disrespect to tho electors was intended. But so far as Sir "William Fox is concerned, tho manner of Major Willis' resignation is altogether beside the question. That he took tine by the forelock is a commendable proof of activity and preparedness. It is surely no proof of disrespect that a candidate comes forward without a requisition, and iv Sir William Fox's case it was necessary that he should make the oost of tho time at his disposal, for tho principal part of it was, and still is, occupied by his gratuitous services on the Native Commission. Tho first of Mr Frascr's objections to Sir William box therefore entirely falls lo the ground Ihe second objection— namely, that Sir William does not possess the qualifications required in a representative of Uaugitikci at the present time, certainly goes to the root of the matter bo far as that gentleman is concerned, though why MrFruser should have limited his proposition to the present time we are unable to say. It would probably bo regarded as out of plane, or at all events as ' unnecessary, to occupy hpace ii enumerating the qualifications of a veterpi statesman like Sir William Fox, but we suppose Mr Frasir wilt admit that his opponent is a highly educated gen I lonian Of much experience in public ii/Taira ; and tho address on which we are i:oiiiuienlin.' contain' a statement thai boll, th^e candidates profess the same political crcci There is ccrUmly an insinuation tliat Sir

William Fox's professions have not tallied with his j-erfornnnces, hut Mr Frascr does not furnish us with the facts on which he has been led to base his halfhidden conclusion, and wo have never found reason to question Sir William Fox's sincerity, eilh-.-r i;i politics or private life. Air Fraser ha 3 failed to establish any case whatever against Sir William Fox. There is nothing iv the address which should lead the ltungit'kei constituency to turn against their old representative ; and, as Mr Fraseispecially set himself to clear the way forhis osvn candidature by phoning the unfitnoss of his opponent, the failure to make out n case must be taken as evidence that no I case exist*. With icgurd to Mr Eraser's own qualifications we shall be as brief as he himself is in his address. It does not, appear to have occurred to him that if Sir William Fox could ho shown to have grievous faults as a politician, it would do next to ii'-thiug to advance his own cliims to the honour of i s at in Parliament. The fact Hint o.ie horse has an ugly kick in his gallop does not prove fhal another i^ pound and free from vice. If the ilangitikei cieelors thought that Sir Win, Fox was not good enough for them, they might still bj inclined to look further afield forarepresentative thin Mr Fraser. That gentlomau is, we understand, a very worthy member of society, but it is one thing to fulfil the dutioa of life in a satisfactory manner in a quiet country neighbourhood, and another to play a creditable part in tho great drama of colonial politics. So tar as wo can gather from his address, Mr Fraser has had no practical experience as a politician. He professes himself as satisfied with tho past uction of the Hull-Atkinson. Ministry, and he will, he sa3'B, support thorn heartily whilst tliC3' continue in tho same course. Like Ihe Torr of the old school he says, '•Ditto to Mr Pitt," but ho gives no reason for the faith that is in him, and does not utter a word oa any one of tho great questions of the day. Of course wo are compelled to regard his candidature as a mistake. Men of all shades of politics, and iv a II parts of the colony, would rejoice to see Sir William Fox once more in tho House, and we feel satisfied that the electors of Kanaitikei, now that the opportunity is thrown in their way, will choose as their representative one of the foremost of New Zealand's statesmen in preference to an untried aspirant. Had Mr Fraser sailed under Grey colours we could hare understood his opposition, but to pit himself against one of the loaders of his own party is an anomaly we were not prepared to witness.