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Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2964, 14 July 1891, Page 2

The contest for tho Te Arohti scat i.s over and Colonel Fraser has been returned by a majority of 3~)2 votes. Sir Walter Bullor rogurds his defeat with considerable complncency and ho has a right to feel that Uie result was not duo to any lack of public confidence in himself nor from any excessively high regard for his opponent, that indeed the contest lay botweeu himself and tho Ministry and not with Colouel Fraser. lie states vory freely that ho has been tho victim of a distinct breach of faith on the part of two members of tho Ministry, Messrs Balianco and G'adman, who boforii ho ontcrod upon the contest assured him that, in tho event of their bi'iiig no Opposition candidalo in the ti•;]. 1, the (iovernmout would nor. intiirfoiv. rndep:'aih.Mitly of this, he thinks he lias I :';..0l c:iii.si! for eoiiiniam l ', lie! luealiom-l to n.i thai it!. ! 'aepia In- I had Ikioii shown a li-legiMiu frmu a i miMiiber of the ''aiiini.t, which! seated in Hl'iM't; lliat the <iovern-| m< , nt would bo propari'd to buy up i'i'i'!aiu native liinds in the lowniliip -* matter of vilal irnportauce

to many of tho residents —and relot them on favourable terms, provided tho votes were cast in favour of Colonel i'rasor their choson candidate. Striking out new paths certainly characterizes the present (lovcrnuK'nt, but we confess we scarcely expected they would have the hardihood to go to such a length as this. .Mr W. 8. Allen was recently unseated for the same seat because his agent employed a paid canvasser. This was adjudged a corrupt practice. A minister of the Crown informs the electors of Paaroa, according to Sir Walter Buller's statement, that the Government will do certain things urgently needed in the district, provided they vote for the Go\eminent nominee If the electors do not vote as desired the inference is the Government will not perform the required service, at any rate that was the construction put upon it by the recipient. Wo do not profess to he experts in statute law, but if this is not a corrupt practice within the meaning of the Act, the sooner it is mado one the better. Before this, the moral turpitude of Sir Allen's offence pales into insignificance. It would be interesting to know what other transactions of a similar nature the Government have been committed to over the late contest, and if the one under notice is a fair sample of their actions in this respect during the general flection, it seems to us the surplus of £100,000 according to the Hon. Mr Secldon, will scarcely cover all the promises made.