THE RANGITIKEI ELECTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIII, Issue 2711, 5 July 1892, Page 2

THE RANGITIKEI ELECTION

Ip Me R. C. Bbuce, the Opposition candidate for the Rangitikei seat, has ever been, given credit for any distinguishing political virtue it is that of consistency, and it is with surprise, even astonishment, that we read of his having during the contest made a most remarkable change of front. He entered upon his candidature as an out and out Oppositionist—opposed to the Government and e^ery member thereof, opposed to the Land tax, opposed to one-man-one-vote, opposed to the Land policy, opposed m short to the 3yhole Liberal policy. This seem? not to hayo suited,, tjie electors, and the consistent Mr Bpuce has had to say of his principles, after a classic forerunner m the electioneering path, "if they don't suit they kin be altered." A private meeting of his supporters was held and the alteration effected. The Gwßrnment measures are now to be given fair eonsideption, the advocacy pf plural voting is abandoned, the Land and Income tax is to have a fair trial, the Land Bill is regarded on the whole with favor, and ; most astonishing of alj, ihp announQemenis of his meetings appear m the columns, of the Marton Liberal newspaper. Mr Bruce, indeed, has turned into quite a Liberal, Mr Bruce's friends have had to go back ten or twelve years for material with which to frame a charge of inconsistency against Mr Stevens, the Liberal .candidate, yhg then voted against sonic of the measures that are even now advocated by 'few b.ui the most advanced Liberals, forgetful of the great progress which political opinion has made during the interval. y^B shall see on Thursday what the electors thipk.