THE NELSON ELECTION.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 132, 8 June 1881, Page 2

THE NELSON ELECTION.

Tho result of the Nelson election is not at all surprising. Mr. Richmond, whatever his abilities and former public services — and we do not underrate either — belongs essentially to a past generation in Now Zealand politics. There is very little in common between the political situation of 1871, when Mr. Richmond retired from public lifo, and that of 1881, when ho seeks to return to it once more. Ten year 3in a colony such as this is practically a longer period than fifty or a hundred years in an older community. A new generation that knows not Joseph speedily arises, and the fact that a man has done good service in days gone by, is bnt a poor passport to popular favor and support. When he comes forward as a candidate for the votes of a constituency, he has to stand the test of comparison with his immediate opponent, whoever that may be. By his words of the present, and not by hia works of tho past, ia he justified or condemned. Mr. Richmond has been condemned. We are not, as wo have said, at all surprised at this. After his first speech, we should have been mnoh surprised had he been elected. There is a vulgar old proverb that " fine words butter no parsnips," and people nowadays look for something 1 more than mere philosophical reflections, vague aspirations after Socialism or Communism — or whatever Mr. Richmond may really have meant to call it — and meagre generalities on the pressing questions of the day, even had these been put forth clothed in all the graces of oratory. Unfortunately this lißt adornment was conspiouonsly wanting. Mr. Richmond's speech pleased neither by its matter nor its manner, and the unfavorable impression first created was never afterward overcome. His victorious opponent, Mr. Leve3tam, now M.H.R. for Nelson, is described to be a fluent and effective speaker, bnt wholly lacking experience in public life, and with much to learn in the very alphabet of politics. He enters Parliament unfettered by pledges to either party, and probably will be found acting a good deal as a "free lance," after the manner of Messrs. Allwright, Bunny, Shanks, and other members. That he is a " Liberal " goes without a aying. Everybody is a Liberal in these modern times.