BLOCK VOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1667, 20 September 1887, Page 2

BLOCK VOTES.

| TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Your correspondent, " Sui Jure," ' strongly condemns block votes, and at the same time calls for one— he must have a . bad memory. He should bear m mind, , but nis Bhort memory prevents him, that , this question was introduced by Mr , Purnell's friends, and that Mr Walker's , always deprecated this Perhaps he would , have the candour to admit this, and give , hie censure where it is called for. What a pity your space is taken up with " Sui Jure's " inkelinging, who begins his effusion by condemning block votes, and ends by calling for them. Will he give , up his block vote and fight on fair ; principles? The talk about "ireasures not men "is all twaddle. If the present , Ministry go out who will certainly go m ? [ Unquestionably Atkinson and Hall, if they ! have seats m the House. Are not these the men who will have the framing of tho , measures? Have they not always professed a sincere desire to retrench 1 And have they not always failed ? Did not Mr Purnell tell the truth of Major Atkinson 1 when he said '• the question of retrenchment did not commend itself to his mind ?" And further, did not the Major declare he would try to save £50,000, but expected to full 1 Now what was the amount he actually retrenched when compelled ? Over £300 000 What electors are mad enough to trust a body of men of whom the Maj.ir is chief with their finances ? I repeat tbis talk about measures is " bunkum." Does any man m this island believe that the Major and his fellows will ever do anything for the advantage of working men m general, and of this island m particular ? The man who does know nothing of their history, Mr Buxton told us that a man was glad to get 10a per week. I well remember when hundreds of men were glad to get tucker for a month, and if their employer gave them a present of a pair of boots or a coat, they were very thankful, And who altered that miserable state of affairs ? Julius Yogel 1 Then, working men, support him. Do not allow those "measures not men" politicians to draw a red herring across your track. I believe you are too cute- for that. I maintain that the present Ministry have proved themselves more economical than their predecessors What guarantee have we that the Opposition will retrench ? Who were they who opposed everything calculated to benefit this island 1 Atkinson's party Who opposed " tooth and nail " the Midland .Railway ? Atkinson's party. And will certainly oppose all retrenchment if they get into power I The Atkinson party. In conclusion I must express my regret that " Sui Jure " did not form a class for instruction m letter writing, but no doubt he forgot to do so, his memory is so bad. If he would only take thin gentle hint, he would obtain for himself the name of the MopBRN NESTOR.