SYDENHAM MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9522, 15 September 1896, Page 3

SYDENHAM MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

TO THE KDITOR OF THK PRESS. Sir, —In your issue of Saturday morning I notice your contributor •• Bohemian" makes merry over the result of the municipal elections in Sydenham ; principally to sneer at the prohibitionist party generally, and Messrs Billcliff, Glcdhill and McLemian in particular. I fancy the gentleman named are quite able to take caro of themselves, and it is no part of my intention to defend their action so far as municipal affairs are concerned, as I think they were entirely wrong in attempting to raise a loan for the borough of Sydenham without first placing their proposals before the ratepayers, aud getting their consent thereto.

What I wish to point out is that the question of the candidates being prohibitionists did not determine the ratepayers' choice, as it is a well-known fact that the primary issue was loan or no loan, and so far as I can see tha ratepayers acted wisely in selecting those men who were desirous of first placing the matter before the ratepayers, rather than going to Parliament with their proposals and asking the ratepayers for their consent afterwards. No doubt "Bohemian "is fully aware of these facts, but it is like his usual tactics to obscure the issue involved as much as possible. I take it that the prohibition party are not committed to the plan of running their candidates for municipal honours as there is very little to be gained in that direction so far as their interests are concerned.

What we are most anxious for, and what we are determined upon obtaining, is the return of candidates to the Legislative Assembly pledged to give us licensing reform on the principles of national prohibition, the control of all Clubs by, the popular vote, and the bare majority on all questions submitted to the people of the colony. Now we have two candidates standing for election to the next Parliament, viz., Messrs G. J. Smith and T. E. Taylor, and with a good third man jet to be nominated I am pretty confident we will be able to place our three nominees at the top of the poll at the next general election. Possibly " Bohemian " has a dread of this event taking place and in consequence . feels rather nasty on that account. Still it is not wise to be too low-spirited over such matters, as it Has a tendency to dishearten people who are in sympathy with his ideas. —Yours, &c," .Tames W. Hunter. Warminster Cottage, Off East belt, Linwood. September 12th, 1896.