The Wanganui Chronicle. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1905. MR W, C. BASSETT AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12637, 26 October 1905, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1905. MR W, C. BASSETT AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

The speech delivered by Mr W. G. Basset*, the Opposition candidate, afc the Opera, House, last evening, was the speech of a man who had something to say and who kncv how to say it. It was an intelligent forceful, and convincing exposition of the candidate's views on the principal po'lit/ical questions of the day, coupled incidentally with a trenchant criticism of.the party to which he stands opposed. The whole speech was couched in admirable language, its matter was arranged with businesslike thoroughness, and it was ab'y delivered. Moreover, the speech vibrated with the cheerful melody of sterling sincerity. There was not one false note in the whole utterance, nor was the performance marred by any vulgar attempt to " play to the gallery." In a word, Ma* Bassett's speech was such a speech as intelligent electors have a right to expect from a man who seeks to represent them in Parliament, such a speech as may rightly be described as creditable both to the candidate and to the constituency, and a pleasant break to the monotony of mediocrity to which the people have, perforce, become accustomed. It is. unpleasant to have to blush because of the incompetence or insignificance of one's Parliamentary (representative, and consequently there is a natural hesitancy on the part of the electors of any constituency to accept a hew. and untried man. But in the case of Mr Bassett there is absolutely no need for any such hesitancy. It is recognised, even by those who cannot support him because of his political creed, tihat he is a man eminently qualified for the position he seeks to obtain. We have no hesitation in saying that in oar opinion, apart from all parly considerations, Mr Bassett is, so far as .personality, ability, and general fitness for the position is concerned, a long Way the best of the six candidates from whom the electors will have to choose, assuming, of course, that all of them go to the poll. We say this without any desire to belittle the other five gentlemen. In a matter of this sort we hold it to be the duty of a public newspaper to give the electors the benefit of a frank and honest opinion, altogether -disregardful of personal or private considerations, and our opinion is .that Mr Bassett as a personality is ;" head and shoulders above" the opposfing quintette. It as men like him we ~want to see in the House of Representatives, men of proved ability, men of strong character, men of unimpeachable integrity, men who will not be afraid to act in obedience to the dictates of their honest oonvictions. So much for tihe man. As for his policy, he stands on the right side, with those who plead for clean administration and sound progressive legislation. There is, we believe, a feeling prevalent throughout vie electorate that the time is ripe for a ohange in our (representation in Parliament. We are in complete sympathy with that feeling, and our earnest deeire is to see the electors make the best possible ohange by 'bestowing their confidence upon Mr Bassett, the best of the bunch.