The Dominion. THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1909. THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 494, 29 April 1909, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1909. THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Citizens of Wellington are to be congratulated on the choice they have made in their selection of Mayor for the/ensuing year. Of the fivp candidates who proffered their services they have chosen tho one most likely to fill tho office to the advantage of tne city during tho twelvemonths ahead. This can justly be said without reflecting in any way on the unsuccessful candidates whose 1 aspirations to tho position of Mayor have ended in disappointment, They each, no doubt, can advance, and have advapced, certain claims to consideration, and save for one unpleasant incident during tho closing hours of tho campaign, they have all contested the election fairly and well. It has, indeed, been a contest pleasingly free from personal recriminations and questionable tactics, and in the hour oi victory and defeat winner and losers carried themselves with equal credit. Two features of the campaign which will doubtless cause cordment are the positions on tho list occupied by Messrs. Fisher and Hiqq. Mil. Fisher has undoubtedly been the most, successful platform campaigner throughout tho contest. His meeting at the Town Hall on Monday evening was 'remarkable both for its size and for the enthusiasm of thoso present. It might well inspire qonfidonco in the candidate and in his supporters. It completely eclipsed the efforts of any other candidate during tho election. Yet Mr. Fisher had to rest content with third position on tho poll. The reason for this wo believe to be that Mr. Fisher has advanced a little too rapidly in public life. High honours have come to him too easily. He has many qualities which go to win favour with tho public, but tho public, though it may on occasions be carried off its fnct, thinks between whiles, and Mh. Fisher's position at the poll.is probably due to the fact that a great many people hold the view that it would do him no harm to give him a check. He is young, and his c_;po__cncc yesiorday, Lf,

|;pyofited.-:bV,: :i ßho;uld.'%v In view-ofytho importance of 'tho: office and. ! the fact; that .'the positionvoi; Ohjet'Magisb •trate.is usually associated:.with -.maturedME...F : iSHEii, ; slibulcl .feet'thai for. so'.ybung a man 1 he;has:polled ■exceed-.; ingly.- well; indeed, ■■he ;ha's ; : prohabiy;'-.ciK tablishcd' a' local record/ ture!of special interest';is, : the pMitibnrqc-; ciipied 'by • the '". Labour': : 'cahdiHate, : :J/(;lie Hon;C jy ßiqa.;.;. ■■-Tho>sma'll ■ yotes'-.recorded. in avqur/';is almostT grotesque, f regarded J. in ■■;, light .of- the voting strength: of :iabpurj : and;.the only : conclusion;|o; : ; be:.:drawni...in : iview;<:b£ Mr. union::circl.es, ..:.is::'that:Labour has : 'b'.e't'rayed; its, nominee;. '■'Mn , ;'-' : RiGQ's,:bhance"s; ; pf;: success of clinging, to. its 'principles• for the man- who.has fought of trades unionism,,deserted, .th'em'.vand him. Mr. Wilford profited': by this; de--sertion, and succeeded through..this./ac-: cession' of 'strength inV securing /second place in tho contest. Labour has- made itself a laughing-stock. andV-gained nothing in return. At time'of writing, the full results of the election.of, Councillors are not to hand, but there is every reason to believe that the new.Council;will!do quite as good service for the city as, the, retiring body. .Thero, is. very, littlo new! blood included, but .what there is'.bf it should do credit.to the Couricilx'Summcd up, the elections.make it clear,that.citizens are in a cautious mood—they, have preferred the older and more experienced candidates to, the younger generation. < On tho whole, they hare acted wisely, although wo should have preferred to have seen more encouragement given to the more youthful element in the long list.of candidates. We must compliment'the new Mayor on his victory, which was won fairly on the merits and in'the face-of a.most determined opposition.