THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1277, 4 November 1911, Page 13

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Sir,—Within the last few days I have attended some meotings of candidates for Parliament, and havo been rather disappointed. I am not much concerned with tho utterances of those calling themselves Liberals, and shall merely remark that there is a comical similarity about all of them. The themes are: Tlio lovo of the Government for the people; the good deeds it has done; the wonderful things it is going to do; and tho wickedness of the Opposition in criticising it. They all ignore ticklish questions, such ns the secret methods, the political patronage, the vote-catching dodges, tho significant silence about the cost of raising tho loans, and tho wasteful expenditure. But tiiis is not to be wondered at. What is surprising is that any man of average intelligence and tho most elementary knowledge of business can bo found supporting tho banner of tho Government.

With regard to tho candidates on tho Opposition sido, I note that some of thorn are much too tender in dealing with actions and utterances of Ministers. I heard one candidate give as his only reasons for a change of government that the present Ministry had been too long in power, which was not good for any country, and that Wellington hod been shamefully neglected under its regime. Both statements, of course, are true; but why ignore the glaring examples of maladministration 1. have referred to? Is it out of consideration for Hie feelings of Ministers, who show so little for their opponents? Witness Mr. K. M'Kenzio's referonco to th« "lilack pamphlet fiush"

on Wednesday ovening. Apropos to this, why don't candidates ask why Sir Joseph Ward did not put the criminal law in forco against the publishers of that notorious pamphlet, instead of making a personal and pathetic appeal to tho llouso and tho country? As I'riino Minister of this Dominion, it was his duty to seo that any person who brought false chnrges against the holder of that high otiico should bo punished. Tho offender must have laughed in his sleovo when ho ought to be suffering for his offence. But to return to tho candidates. I think that if all Uw Reform candidates would bo as outspoken as Mr. Monckton (Otaki) and Mr. 801 l (Suburbs), tho electors would bo better informed on the political position than they have been hitherto.—l am, etc., AN ELECTOR.