The Wairarapa Daily MONDAY, JULY 8, 1889. Representation of Masterton.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3250, 8 July 1889, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily MONDAY, JULY 8, 1889. Representation of Masterton.

A numerous and thoroughly representative meeting of Mr 6, Beetham's party assembled in tho Temperance Hall on Saturday last and without a dissentient voice passed a resolution in favor of their present member retaining his seat. We were quite prepared to find settlers expressing a generous sympathy with an old friend, who was temporarily prevented from active service by ill health, but we were almost surprised to observe tho cordial and spontaneous spirit in which one and all expressed a desire to meet his wishes and continue his connection with the district as its representative. When a question of good feeling and right sentiment has to be decided by the electors of Masterton there can be but little doubtas to theirverdict, The unselfish position taken by the settlers at last Saturday's meeting contrasts very strongly with the selfishness displayed by one or two individuals who have been making arrangements to fill tho sick man's shoes. The seat, if all that is rumoured be true, has already been bought and sold, and no doubt the too precipitant political traffickers will be very wrath when they realise tho fact that there is to be no election. Unprejudiced and disinterested electors, to whatever party they belong, will be unlikely to be disappointed at the turn things have taken. We can, however, imagine that a candidate who, after offering himself to Mr Beetham's friends, went over straight to Mr Beetham's political opponents when lie found he could not gain the support of the former—we can imagine, we say, a candidate of this kind, feeling ]®d jitter hawkinghimself about only to discover that there is no available opening for a man of his elastic principles. "We shall hear from one or two disappointed candidates and some of their friends, who are specially interested in their welfare, but the bulk of the electors will bo quito satisfied with the course adopted by the meeting on Saturdaylast. We have, ourselves, no objection to a political election; such events are usuaiiy not unprofitable to newspapers, but we should be ashamed of ourselyes if, for the sake pf any personal benefit, we took advantage of tho ill health of an absent man to force a vacancy. Of course it will be •pointed out that Sir 6. Bectlmm's party, which favors his leave of absence, is not tho constituency, but it 'certainly represents a decided majority in it. At tho election in 1887» Mr G. Eeeta scored a

splendid majority, notwithstanding the fact that Mr Hogg split his votes by the encouragement which he gave to Mr Hawkins' candidature. Mr Hogg's party, whether it brings him forward again, or, as it has been reported, transfers its support to Mr Hawkins, cannot command more than a third of the votes in the electorate. But however this may be, it is certain now that Mr Beetham's resignation will not he tendered and that there will he no vacancy to fill. The opposition party can express their feelings of disappointment by public meetings, or in any other form they may. deem expedient, hut they are powerless to do more than this. They will have to wait awhile, and when the absent man returns they will perhaps again have the honor of being beaten by him at the next general election.