ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 282, 28 November 1893, Page 5

ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN.

POLITICAL POINTS.

••The ides of March are come !" " Ay, but 0 t gone 1" No, not yet gone. There ar 6 yet several hours before that momentous na in which the results of the elections °hall be declared. Momentous for the candidates, momentous for the electors alsoAb the time this column may meet the eyes f tbe electors the excitement and tumult li the election will be rising faster and hater towards their culminating point, •nd for that reason it is almost as hopeless ?o attempt to catch the public ear and whisper into ib one last word of advice as ib would be for a general to strive to make hia voice heard amid the roar of battle, •'When all the war is rolled in smoke." Thousands have already passed their iadgment and the result of it is irreversible. Let us hope that their decision has neen the best for the general good of the colony. The polls will be open till 7 p.m. in the City, Parnell, and Eden. For all the other districts it will close ab six. *** * * ** * * The candidates we have notified aa the on.swe would ourselves choose, .as most likely to be the best representatives of Auckland, and the best men she could eend to conduct the affairs of New Zealand, are known to all. They have been chosen independent of party considerations. If their views, in many respects, are in harmony with the present Government, thatcircumatance has certainly commended them to our favour, for we cannot bob believe in a Government which has both done and demised so much for the good of the colony. Bub allegiance to the Government has been quite secondary in our eyes to allegiance to the great principles of Liberalism ; and even the mosb fervid declaration of devotion to these principles in a candidate baa nob influenced us where we'have believed that other qualities necessary for a member of the House of Representatives were absent. The place where we desire and look to see Sir George is ab the head of the poll, and not only ab the head, but so far above any other name there, that his elevation shall accord with the services he has rendered to the colony. There has this day been put into the bands of every elector of this city an opportunity of testifying bis or her gratitude towards the aged knight, and his or her appreciation ot .his lifelong efforts to promote the wellbeing of the people. Ib is an opportunity which is not likely to occur again. It is an opportunity which any other city in New Zealand, nay even in Australasia, would be glad to seize if it were presented to it. And every one of us should geize ib this day. If there ever was an occasion* when party considerations should be buried in the sea ; if there ever was an occasion when men and not measures should be our cry ; if there ever was an occasion when the people of every party should give their support to a man, ib is now, when the veteran statesman who baa grown old in our service stands as candidate for the representation of the city and citizens he has done so much for. •*# * * ** * * Poor Mr Shera ! The announcement that he would reply to the criticisms of the Star at Wesley Hall, although proclaimed before a large audience at Ponsonby on Saturday night and duly published in both daily papers, only attracted some two hundred persons—a large proportion of them boys. Mr Shera'a explanation of what be designated the Star's "animosity" towards him is curiously mixed and obscure. Be says that in 1891 he had a conversation with tbe late Mr Ballance regarding the intended appointments to the Legislative Council, and that he urged the appointment of the editor of this journal because (to quote Mr Shera), " the editor was in his opinion a sound aud consistent Liberal, who had by his pen given greab assistance to the Liberal party for years," and because he believed " the politics of the paper was entirely lett to him." W Then twelve appointments "were decided upon in 1892, tho offer of a seat in the Council was made to the editor of this journal, and Mr Shera thinks .h may thus have mortally offended Mr Brett. We have much pleasure in relieving Mr Shera's mind of any such dark suspicion. 'Mr Brett had so distinctly given the late Premier to understand that on no consideration woald he enter into political life, that Mr Ballance knew perfectly well it was idle "tooffer him a seat in the Council. _Mr Bretb might have had ono of the seats if he lad chosen. An offer of a seat in the Council was, as Mr Sbera states, made to the editor of tho Star, and within an Jour of the receipt of the telegram, i reply was senb declining the honour, with its title and emoluments. The reason for this refusal was not because we did nob heartily -approve of Mr Ballance's action in Liberalising the Council, 1 «because we doubted for a momenb the purity of the motives of the late PreI mier in making the offer, or were uawilling to go into the Council •nd assist the Government in fighting the fossils there who were obstructing or mutilating beyond recognition the Government measures. Bob the offer was declined simply because we believed that a journalist should maintain his independence, and that we could do better work for the eanse of Liberalism by declining than by accepting. Thab the offer was made on Mr Shera's recommendation to news to us, and we may be permitted to think that thab gentleman's habit of magnifying all his acts accounts for the weight which be supposes the advice he -We to the Premier in 1891 had on the Bind of Mr Ballance in 1892. At any rate we offer was unsoughb and unexpected, and « we assume that Mr Shera was the moving Power behind the throne, surely that would be no reason for adversely criticising ja public acts. It should rather lead us to b? "to his faults a little blind, and to his "»taea ever kind."

Mr Shera has been playing whab he no woiibt) regards as a deep game on bhe 'W quesbion. He was one ot bhe mosb «<M_|. supporters of the Government woensiag Bill, and has since defended ib in "j. 9 speeches. He scouts prohibition and ltß ways, advocates compensation to 'Keepers for loss of licenses ; and yeb ''Po.es as the bete noir of the brewers be- ««» he voted in favour of Mr Fisher's J dealing with 4< tied houses." Mr Shera ■">« think the electors very simple. We f™ credibly informed that some of tho *5? We, t8 wero groatly impressed with Mr tJh* 8 cla' m8 upon their gratitude for his it! Bervices to tbe liquor trade, and ita! 1 tlieso claims» frantically pressed, deeirl caußC" c* Buon Ionf? hesitation in oaiajj upon the candidates they intended wh JPport. But Mr Shera calculated that •hoM Were on^ ye or B'x hrowers in lj s'»nd there were many publicans, and lj;'to them he made his bid in the folml adv ertisement:—" Tied hotels. w,r»l>. To the Electors, Publicans, C» Frienda; Vote for Shera, free Ju ; nob the Brewers' i s( j Crowbher, tied hotels, «l ijf ■ 8 Blavery." This is a sample L lr Shera's idea of generalship; O Benioß tbab the Star is "the ti aen 8 organ," is a sample of his imperiw.;' Tho Star, unlike Mr Sbera, has peonU8 f y maintained the right of the J-Mlf 'eifminate licenses withoub comCotjiJ' o?' if a substantial majority of tho "me v' ty B0 determine; we have ab the pet St J! m° maintained the principles of (W:, lib erty and of fair play in the s * wis trade as of obher sections of the

community. We do nob care a rap for the brewers ;^ we neither receive their support nor seek ib ; our reliance is upon the great body of the citizens, and we shall continue to advocate the measures which we consider to be for the public good, without regard to the special interests of any class. Tho experience of Canada under the Scotb Act has demonstrated beyond all question, even ia the opinion of ardent prohibitionists, that the working of euch a law unless supported by a solid body of public opinion is demoralising in the extreme, and all the bowling of extremists and the insinuations of disappointed political schemers, will not deter us from advocating what we consider to be the proper courso for the public to pursue in this matter.

It would be impossible to make Mr Shera understand why he has been a political failure, bub the fact that he was so voted on all sides would teach a less egotistical man to look within, and not without, for the true cause. A man who professes to hold advanced democratic principles, and who yet refused to participate in a public ceremonial because the order of precedence in tbe procession was not regulated according to the rules laid down in Burkes Peerage, is an emanation of Liberalism which we can neither understand nor apppreciate. In the first instance, we cherished the kindliesb of feelings towards Mr Shera, because we remembered the support he gave lo Liberalism when the cause was more unpopular with men of his class than it is now. We were his be»b friend in criticising his foibles, nnd if, instead of bitterly resenting the criticism which every public man musb submit to, he had given beod to it, a useful political career might have been opened to him; bub it soon became evident that his case was hopeless. In his rage all round last nighb, Mr Shera flnne wild charges againsb the Government he has supported and pledges himself to continue to support, including an accusation of unfairly distributing the printing of tho electoral rolls throughout the colony. We have no doubb the Government and tho Returning Officers, to whose entire discretion we believe the printing of the rolls was left, are woll able to defend themselves, bub that Mr Shera should make insinuations of corruption againsb the Governmenb he is championing as honest administrators, is of a piece with the inconsistency which has broughb him politically to grief.

An enthusiastic meeting of Auckland Ciby electors greeted Mr W. J. Napier at the City Hall last nighb. Large numbers of people had to be content wibh standing room. The lady electors "rolled up" by the hundred, and Mr Napier had the gratification of receiving showers of bouquets from all parts of the house—a tribute from the female electors. Mr V\ orth, President ot the Trades and Labour Council, was in the chair. Mr Napier opened hia speech by referring in strong term to the attacks mado on him and the rest of the Liberal candidates by the Tory press and party. He was confident, in spite of all his malignlrs, thab tbe electors would show their sense of fair play and justice by returning bim at the head of tho poll. Mr Napier then proceeded to give at considerable length his reasons for the faith that was in him. During the course of Mr Napier's speech, Mr W. J. Beehan, Chairman of the Liberal Association, handed to Mr Napier a telegram which he had just received from the Hon. Mr Seddon, Premier, asking him to inform friends aud all true Liberals that they were on the eve of a great battle, in which the men, women and children of New Zealand were equally interested, aa againsb a select few who for so many years had dominated Parliamenb bo the detriment of the country. The Premier concluded by hoping thab the peopio would ab the ballot-box assert their rights and vote only for good and true Liberals. Mr Napier read the telegram amidst loud applause, and enthusiastic cheers were given for the Hon. Mr Seddon. Mr Napier made a really eloquent speech, and towards the close of his oration, a large number of bouquets of flowers were showered upon him by the ladies in all parts of the house. At the close he received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence amidst loud cheering, the meeting being in every way a very successful one.

Mr E. Mitchelson addressed a largely attended and enthusiastic meeting of Eden eldctors in the Devonport Public Hall lasb evening, Mr E. W. Alison presiding. Mr Mitchelson devoted the greater parb of his speech to a reply to the Hon. Mr Ward on the financial position of the colony. Ho strongly criticised the financing of the Seddon Ministry, and maintained thab greater care should have been exercised. On the motion of Mr Logan, seconded by Mr Philcox, Mr Mitchelson was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

Mr Withy at bis meeting at tbe Ponsonby Hall last night stated that be was not asking anyone for votes, and that they would not notice any cabs with bis name on them. He had carefully abstained from connecting himself with any clubs or societies with which be was not previously connected. He had never attempted to be all things to ail men. At the close the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

Mr W. Crowther had a final word with the electors at St. George's Hall, Newton, last nighb. The hall was crowded with both sexes, and throughout the meeting was of an enthusiastic character. Mr Crowther answered the questions pub to him in an evidently satisfactory manner, and tbe reception accorded him speaks well for his success ab to-day's polling. On tho motion of Air Earle, seconded by Mr Webley, the candidate was accorded a vote 0 f thanks and confidence. Subsequently, j^e was lustily cheered.

Mr Vaile'B address at St. James's Hall last night only attracted about ono hundred electors. The meeting was held in order that the candidate might answer any questions put to him. Mr Vaile replied to various questions put to him, and ab the close was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr Lester presided at the meeting.

The lasb words were spoken to the Parnell electors yesterday evening, and both Mr Lawry and Mr Shepherd Allen received warm promiae of support irom tbe different sections of the community to whom they have approved themselves. Mr Lawry spoke in the Newmarket Hall, and at the close of his address he was accorded a hearty and unanimous voteof thanks and confidence. When be had finished, another speech was demanded of him, and „ answer to the solicitation of tbe electors he sooke again in tbe open air to a large assemblage of electors who enthusiastically pledged themselves to do their utmost to secure his return.

Meanwhile, ab Parnell Hall. Mr Shepherd Allen, who bad already spokeri toi the ladies at Eden Terrace in the afternoon, waa exhorting for the last time hw supporters in the Parnell Hall to listen to no false rumours which had been circulated in order to injure his candidature, recounting bis doings in the Old Country, and declaring that be was no sham or Socialist but a true Liberal. A vote of thanks and confidence to the candidate was earned at the close of tho meeting, amid cheers, a vote of thanks only being lost. The meeoing was a mosb enthusiastic one.

Waipa isenthusiasticfor Mr Peacocke. His j last speech to the electors was delivered at Hamilton yesterday evening. The Mayor of the rnral city presided, and the candidate was listened to with the greatest attention, the only interruptions being due to the long and loud cheering which greeted the speaker's remarks. The address was an able arid exhaustive defence of the Governmenb, and throughout it Mr Peacocke carried the whole assembly with him. At the close he was accorded a vote of confidence, only two hands being raised against the motion. His return is considered almosb certain, *» * * .* » * ♦ * Mr B. Gilmer desires us to mention that he will supply the public with the results of the Eden contest this evening afber 7.30. We may point out thab the results of all tho polls will be made known to the public ab the Star Office as soon aa they are received in town. *-. * # ♦*♦ * * * Our Thames correspondent wires that both candidates for the district, Messrs McGowan and Taylor, made their final appeal to the electors last night in the same place. The meeting was most orderly, and votes of confidence in tho candidates were carried unanimously. The only distinction made between bhe contestants seems to have been that while Mr McGowan was presented with a wreath of flowers by his lady supporters, his opponenb received no such mark of favour. * * ♦ ..• • * * Three ringing cheers for Major Harris concluded the lecture by Mr Foster on the " Policy of' the Past and Presenb Governments," given at Otahuhu last evening. The lecturer was also accorded a vote of thanks. During the evening a prohibitionist and a lively Opposition man delivered frenzied appeals, to the general amusement. »* * * »** * * The Liberal Association of Huntly paid a very precty compliment to Miss Johanna McDonnell, the teacher there. She was the first lady to record her vote to-day, and when .she had done so the Secretary of tho Association presented her with a bouquet ot* flowers in honour of the occasion.