DISREPUTABLE ELECTIONEERING TACTICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 285, 3 December 1890, Page 4

DISREPUTABLE ELECTIONEERING TACTICS.

We should be very sorry indeed if the cause of Liberalism or of the working classes were in any respect identified in the eyes of intelligent men with th e tactics that have been pursued, by Mr Arthur Desmond, who suddenly made his debul in Auckland in the character of a labour agitator during the late strike. We have the very best reason to know that some of the most prominent leaders of the labour party regard Mr Desmond's wild tirades and reckless misrepresentations as doing more injury to their cause than a dozen Employers' Associations could accomplish. The total failure of the labour party to support him is confessed in the ■ last issue of the " Tribune," in which, while announcing that he " has resolved to cease publication after the elections if no one comes forward to assist him in some practical business-like manner," Mr Desmond goes on to expend on the working men of Auckland a share of the abuse which he so liberally bestows upon all opponents. He declares that they " have not even the decency to feed and clothe the man who fights for them." The workingmen of Auckland have suddenly fallen from their lofty height in Mr Desmond's estimation because, forsooth, they failed to maintain him in the capacity of paid agitator, and he proceeds to heap contumely upon their heads in the following choice passages:—

No man in his common senses could expect gratibudo from the poor-apirited slaves who live in and around Auckland, because years of poverty have nearly crushed all nobility of sentiraenb out of them. He who would take up the cause of the poor musfc bo prepared for contumely and hatred from the rich and powerful, aa well aa desertion in the hour of noed on the part of the elavieh spiritless populace.

Dr. Wallis has never ventured upon anything so scandalous as this. Such arrant drivel might, however, be passed over safely with contempt, but some disclaimer apperstobe necessary lest the figure cut by Mr Desmond at Mr Adam Porter's meeting last night should so thoroughly disgust the moderate and more intelligent of thecitizens belonging to the Liberal party, as to cause them, by their votes, to place Mr Porter and his colleague, Dr. Wallis, at the head of the poll. If this is the revenge which Mr Desmond intends to wreak upon the labour party for their failure to reward his services, and their rejection of his own pretensions to candidature in their interests dining the present elections, for which he fought tooth and nail, we believe he will

still be thwarted. But there is not a shadow of a doubt that the virtually extinguished chances of Dr. Wallis have been materially improved by the production last night of what is unquestionably a spurious letter, and the promulgation of statements that are notoriously lalse. Almost any man in Queen-street could have told Mr Desmond that, instead of Dr. Laishley being at present connected with the affairs of the Paletere Company, he is really the bete noir of the chief promoters of that concern, owing to the clever manner in which he managed five years ago in London to divest himself of his entire interest. The following biief letter on the subject from Dr. Laishley merely confirms what every man who pretends to a knowledge of city affairs was doubtless fully aware of before:

" Blame not before thou hast examined the truth; Understand first, and then rebuke." Eccxesiasticos xi.. 7.