THE AUCKLAND EAST SEAT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13742, 25 May 1910, Page 6

THE AUCKLAND EAST SEAT.

The position in regard to the contest for the Auckland East sent, rendered vacant by tho death of Mr F. E. Baume, is somewhat peculiar, though decidedly characteristic. Both parties have, apparently, decided to support the candidature of Mr Arthur M. Myers, who is standing as a Liberal Independent. The decision is. we imagine, a tribute to Mr Myers's strong personal popularity rather than a mutual admission that he is the ideal candidate for either side. He is a wealthy and capable business man,, who worked well for the city as Mayor for several years, and who also carried out tlio social duties of ' his position on a handsome scale. He has been at the head of most popular movement* in Auckland for a number

of yes-re past. Latterly he has, for instance, championed Captain Knyvett, and denounced the proposed abolition of Government House and, generally speaking, he is the sort of candidate who would bo very difficult to defeat. The leaders oi the Opposition party in Auckland no doubt realise this even more fully than do thoir supporters elsewhere, and that is tho reason why putting aside a well-founded suspicion of , ' candidates they have agreed not to bring anyone out against Mr Myers. No one, botrever, will be very surprised if, in time, Mr Myers comes to rest in the Government party. It is apparently very difficult to preservo independence in the House, particularly if a member goes there chiefly to advocate the claims of a particular district for the expenditure of public ff.oney. Tiiat Mr Myers has no very defined political views is shown, we think, by his naive statement that the line of demarcation between the present .partic* in tho House is very narrow. As a matter , of fact, on several large (,nestions of polity and on tie -whole question of administration tho views of the parties are totally dissimilar. Mr Myers makes no secret of his Government kaning3, but declares that tvhen the Government go astray he ■will act on hi 3 own judgment, and will vote against them when they introduce measures not in the best interests of the city, and the country. There is much significance,..to those who know the Auckland bent of mind, in the candidate's assertion that "if Auckland "returned men to Parliament who '• would not endorse everything tho Go- " vernment did. the Government, would " not treat Auckland with tho contempt "it had done." In some respects we have no doubt Mr Myers will make a very good member, but he clearly intends to regard the welfaro of Auckland, and not of the country as a whole, as bis chief concern. His statement of his "political views" has at least the merit of being absolutely honest, even if it throws little light on his opinions on matters of .even greater consequence than the retention by Auckland of Government House for use during a few weeks in the year.