THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 911, 29 October 1881, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

(To the Editor Waiuaiupa Daily.) Sir,—We have now before the electors two candidates seeking the honor of a scat in tlio House of Representatives for the electoral district of Wairarapa North. Mr Beetham has represented the district for several years. As au elector, I believe he lias faithfully and zealously discharged the duty entrusted to him, and that our roads and bridges have not suffered by reason of any neglect on his part. Mr Beetham has tjiven to the present Ministry a consistent and fair support, for to the Hall Ministry wo are indebted for lifting us out of the difficulties and the mu.ldle into which the Grey Government recklessly involved the colony, and which led to the Property Tax being placed upon the shoulder of the indus- ■ trious settler. Mr Renall, as a supporter of the reckless party led by Sir George Grey, has announced his intention to come forward as a candidate in opposition to Mr Beetham, aud in his speech in tho Town Hall he has endeavored to abuse Mr Beetham for the part he has taken in passing the Rabbit Act. This is the first time we have heard of a feeling of discontent against the measure ; hut I feel sure that the most reasonable of the electors will admit that a great evil has crept in and stringent measures are necessary to destroy tho pest, aud if our member has taken an active part to check the evil and the injury which he, in common with others, have te bear, is it just to suppose that lie was retailed by selfish motives, for none will suffer more than the squatter'? It is au admitted fact that if large runs were cut up into moderate-sized areas the rabbit pest would be effectually stamped out, and therefore I am at a loss to understand upon what grounds tho small farmer can now complain of the very stringent provisions of the new Act, unless with tho object of damaging a worthy representative in the estimation of the electors of the district.

If this is t-lio only indictment which ail opposition can bring against Mr Beetham after his several years' services, the electors might indeed be proud of having a gentleman to represent them whose utterances must have been respected by the House, and his zeal for the benefit of tlia district appreciated by (ho Ministry of the day, Mr Beetham, as an old resident, has acquired much local knowledge which, as chairman and member of some of our local bodies, ho freely offers for the benefit of the district; and as our representative in Parliament he has been most courteous and obliging in attending to the requests of all public institutions and submitting them to the Government, besides as a private gentleman he has ever been ready to give a helping hand to those soliciting his aid and assistance. This, sir, is the class of gentlemen whom I hope the electors of the colony will send to the new Parliament, aud not coarse, uneducated, vulgar men whose utterances are uusuited for an educated assembly. I am, &c., EJiECTOB.