THE RANGITIKEI SEAT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 608, 10 September 1909, Page 4

THE RANGITIKEI SEAT.

, A pleasing aspect of the contest for the Rangitikei seat has been tho attitude of the candidates towards each other. The fighting has boen strenuous, but thq contestants have conducted thoir campaigns on political issues, and without any suggestion of unpleasant personal references to their opponents. This is the more gratifying because of tho circum6taucos under which the eleotion is being fought. Hero' we have had U o straightout opponents of the Government, and at least three candidates supporting the Ministry. It seldom happens under such conditions that tho rival claimants to tho distinction of boing "the elect" of a party manage to get along harmoniously. How often have we seen tho spectacle of two candidates standing in the Government interest belabouring each other, and each claiming to be the "true bluo" deserving i of the support of the party 1 And if the same thing has not been seen so often on the other side in politics it probably has been because the Opposition has not, as a rule, in the past been over-burdened with candidates carrying its banner. It will be scon from a report of our special correspondent "at the seat of war" that Mr.i G. HuTCMBONy who has put up an excellent fight, h.is decided to withdraw from tho contest. It must bo conceded that in making this sacrifice of his personal inclination Mr. Hutchison is acting very genorously to his fellow reprdBontativo of the Reform ' party, Mil. Hockw. Ms. Hutchison is tp essenti'

ally a fighter that he is never beaten until the numbers go up, and his'withdrawal therefore can only be taken as evidence that he realises that this is the best course to -pursue in the intorcsts of the party of Reform, whoso cause ho has so ably advocated. If would perhaps bo too much to oxpoct Mn. Hocklv to win the contest outright at tho first ballot, in view of the fact that personal considerations must account for a substantial proportion of tho votes pollod where so many candidates arc concerned. But wo quite expect to see him lead by a very substantial majority at the first ballot. It is somewhat surprising to learn that Mrt. Meldiujji is tho candidate most favoured by the Government. No official candidate has been chosen, and it has beon stated that Ministers are prepared to recognise, cither Messrs. Meldroji or Smith, but it is an open secret that they look to ths 'former to score best, and the weight of their support, so far as they can exorcise it quietly, will probably go in his favour. Judging by the report of his'speech of last oven ing, reported elsewhere, Mr: MEtiDRUSi should prove the class of supporter the Government most desires. For a lawyer, ho appears to.bo a very trustful politician. He has taken as Gospel the long array of weather-worn claims of Ministers, and has pledged his political faith to theso with a simplicity and innocence pleasing to witness in these stressful times. We have not opportunity on tho present; occasion to enlighten him on the erroneous conclusions ho has arrived at—or which have been supplied to hirn. Without: possessing : Mr.. G. Hutchison's ability and political experience, ' Meldeum suffers from the same handicap as that gentleman—so far as a country electorate is'concerned—of being a lawyer. Mn.-HbCELY, on. the other hand, is especially -well equipped to represent the interests of the, farming 'community. Moreover, the farming comrhun-' ity is very much alive just now to the fact that it's interests want closely guarding. 'It wants staunch men in Parliament who know of their own knowledge what is. inimical 'to-those who mako. their living on the. soil,; and who. are the chief wcalth-producevs of-' the country.,. .Mr.' HocKLY.has this knowledge, and.:' some-., thing more ; He is an earnest advocate of pure administration; a stern opponent of waste. and ■■ extravagance; and .is re- , , ported to be- a self-reliant, 'shrewd,, and capable man,- , of broad yiows and some experience of public life. Wβ do not think tho electors of Hangitikei will hesitate.to chooso. between these, .tho Jfcwp favoured candidates, either on tho ground ,pt personal qualifications or ihc still more important issue of the national interest to which wo directed, attention a few. days ago. While we can compliment Mr. .Meldrum on fighting tho contest in an admir-. able spirit,- we sincor'cly trust to see him thoroughly well beaten a w.cek hence; arid this not because of his inexperience, and obvious lack of .knowlodgo of/political affairs, but because', of the cause which he ■stands for.-,/; .',' ■; . '.• ■■ ' ; '.' .