The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1881.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 932, 23 November 1881, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1881.

Mr Bunny has spoken, and spoken well, No mail knows better liow to prepare or how to deliver a platform speech than lie, What to say and what to leave unsaid is with him almost a fine art. No doubt in making a somewhat personal attack on Mr Buchanan he trusted to his opponent's forbearance not to retaliate. This portion of Mr Bunny's speech is one that even his best friends must condemn. The general impression his speeches leave on our mind is one of genuine admiration at their cleverness, but just a slight doubt as to their sincerity. We share with settlers throughout the district in the kindly personal feeling with which they regard Mr Bunny. We recognize, too, the claim which he has on us for his consistent conduct in supporting the Government during the late session but we cannot conscientiously say that it is to the interest of the electors of the South Wairarapa to return him. He will not serve them badly if he be re-elected, but he is not capable of doing as much as a younger, a stronger, and a more independent man might do. It is the interest of South Wairarapa, as it is of every other electorate, to return its best man. A hard working member can do a good deal for his constituency in the House, and the capacity of any candidate for work is a very important factor in his qualifications for Parliamentary life. We believe that Mr Bunny's chances for re-election are good. He will, however, be closely pressed by Mr Buchanan. Mr Boys, though he may poll a very considerable number of votes, will not, in our opinion, be strong enough to beat either of his opponents. While we admit Mr Boy's claim on the electors—a claim founded on long and faithful public services—we feel that the issue of the South Wairarapa contest lies between Mr Bunny and Mr Buchanan. The best test that can be applied to the selection of one out of two candidates is which is likely to make the best representative for the interests of the colony as a whole. He that is faithful in that which is greatest is faithful in that which is least, and the man who is returned on the broadest platform is most to be depended upon, not only for protecting colonial interests, but local ones. We consider it our duty to indicate Mr Buchanan as thn candidate who should be elocted -for the South Wairarapa, not because wo consider his chance of

being returned better than that of Mr Bunny, but because we feel that lie can do more to advance tho interest of thn colony and of this district than Mr Bunny can accomplish. On personal grounds Mr Bunny has a stronger claim than Mr Buchanan, but we cannot advise electors to record their votes for this reason, The interests of the district demand more consideration on the part of voters than even the interests of an old friend like Mr Bunny. The contest in the Lower Valley is being fought out very fairly. Good feeling, even good fellowship,,between the different candidates and their supporters has been apparent from the commencement, and will, we trust, continue till the poll is declared, We hope to say no word which will disturb tbe harmony which prevails. A political contest conducted in such a spirit is creditable to the candidates engaged in it, and to the district in which it takes place, It is an honor for any public man to play a part in such an election.