THE GOVERNMENT VICTORY AT THE POLLS.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 142, 18 December 1905, Page 8

THE GOVERNMENT VICTORY AT THE POLLS.

* TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Among the many theories put forward throughout the colony to account for the great Government victory at the polls, that of Mr. Duthie, printed in your Friday's issue— viz., the complete organisation of the Liquor Partyis the one with which, I feel sure, most people, on reflection, will entirely agree. Ever since the last election, when the trade got such a shock at the strength of the temperance vote, they have been steadily organising their forces by putting every man and woman eligible to vote, and whose .sympathies they can rely on, on the rolls. These voters have been carefully nursed and shepherded right up to the polling booth. Large sums of money have been spent in organising the forces, and this enormous voting machine, organised as well, if not better, than that of the Government itself, has almost universally swept away the polls from north to south. That it is the chief contributing factor to tho return of so many Government candidates there can be little doubt. It cannot be denied that the Government is, rightly or wrongly, credited with being in sympathy with the Liauor Party, tind it is only natural that the rote cast for con-

tinuance should carry with it a vote for the Government candidate. The Temperance Party has no z-eaaon to be discouraged with the results, since the returns show no falling off in sympathetic voters throughout the colony ; but the wealth and influence of the Liquor Party, together with superb organisation, has proved itself too strong. — I am, etc., OBSERVER. Wellington, 11th December. A WORD FOR AUSTRALIA. » TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — It is with reluctance I am competed to j-eply to the letter, signed '•Fair Play," which appeared in your Satui day's issue, but under the circumstances, as an Australian i would be tailing in my duty, in the interest of society, if I did not do so — that is, in in reference to Chinese being as undesir; able an immigrant as the steerage passengers from Australia. Does "i''air Play" look upon Australia as a breeding ground of iniquity and inhumanity, or does he think because ;i man cannot aftord to pay for a, saloon p<i&sage he must be branded as undesirable? During my travels through New Zealand i met several of similar opinion to '"Fair Play." Now, what is tne cause of the unuesirable — is it not the existing conditions? If a, man, no matter where he belongs to, cannot sell his labour, and has to go hungry, he is forced to commit crime, and often comes before the Court a perlect wreck; and the prejudice that exists against the Australian, ! not only in the public mind, but also in the Law Courts throughout the colony, often goes to convict many a, would-be honest and hardworking man. Such letters as that of "Fair Play" help to create this prejudice, and the result is that nine times out of ten a man is I driven to crime, instead of being given I a fair opportunity of earning an honest living. Perhaps "Fair Play," having had" the good iortune, as he may think, to be born in Maoriland, would like to see a poll-tax levied upon Australians? I have heard much, bitter prejudice against Australians, but I have never heard anyone compare them with the Chinese, and I think" a man must be void of intelligence who does bo. I say emphatically, and I feel sure I am writing the sentiments of the whole community, that any white country can do very well without the yellow man ; and 'I trust that "Fair Play" will expand and enlighten his views, an,d try to uplift humanity, and not lower it, by coming round to the same opinion. — I am. etc., . • H. G. NELMES. Wellington, 11th December.

There was a large congregation at the Missions to Seamen last night, when Mrs. M. A. Williams unveiled the memorial tablet, which reads as followd: — "To the glory of God and in loving mtmorj 61 the captain, officers, and crew of the scow Moana, who died at the post of duty off Mokau Heads, 25th September, 1905. Not dead, but sieeping." The Absbioner preached on 'Tne one clear call." The tablet was suppiied by Mr. Bock. The following games were played on the Hutt Bowling Club's green on Saturday : — Knight, Allport, Hendry, M'Caskill (skip), 25; Hollard, Barlow, Mason, Hodgins (skip), 6. Duthie, Eliott, Treadwell, Stevens (skip), 14; Watkins, Trevethick, Blake, Callender (skip), 11. Parsons, Thompson, Benzoni, Barraud (skip), 17 ; Stevens, Pole, Boyes, Young (skip), 11.