DUNEDIN EAST ELECTION.

Evening Star, Issue 7333, 4 October 1887, Page 4

DUNEDIN EAST ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Now that the elections are over it is the duty of all to bury t! e hatchet, and, by honest sympathy and support, do all in their power to aid and assist the elect of the majority. But, sir, such letters as "Elector's," in your issue of September ZO, aro hardly calculated to cool the firo of partisanship. As a straw shows which way tho wind blows, so "Eloctor's" letter shows him to belong to that party whose only desiie was to get Sir Robert Stout out of Parliament, and Keep him out, recognising, as they do, the fact that he was an uncompromising opponent to the introduction of tho Bible in fc'hools, an issue which had great weight in determining the City East election. But, sir, seeing that only less than eight hundred electors of the Colony ousted Sir Robert, it is surely the height not only of impertinence, but of arroganco, to question the right of the remainder of the olectors of the Colony to accept or reject, as they see fit, the dictum of Dunedin East. Surely "Elector" must recognise tho fact that our public men are virtually the property of tho public, and not alone of that small section that has the power of returning them, or otherwise, to Parliament. It being admitted on all sides—even by Sir Robert's opponent, Mr Allen—that his (Sir Robert't) absenco from Parliament is to be deplored, I cannot seo where the impertinence of asking him to reconsider his decision of rentering public life comes in, or where tho outrage on justice, as "Elector" puts it, exists. As far ar I understood, during tho campaign Mr Allen opposed Sir Robert| in order to break up tho Stout-Vogel Government. That having been accomplished also by the verdict of the country at large, there is no legitimato reason why the country should lose the benefit of Sir Robert's services and ability as a private member. If " Elector " showed more charity and less vindictiveness, his letter would have more weight.—l am, etc., S. POTNTZ Dunedin, October 4.

TO TIIE EDITOK.

Slß,—Although I don't think Sir Robert the pink of perfection, the good pointi in his character and the undoubted talents he possesses surely demand* some consideration. Sound criticism I consider healthy ; but, sir, if you will allow me to say bo, I believe your criticism has come very close on slander. I would like to know how tho actions of tho few gentlemen can be considered an insult to Dunedin East; they cannot be considered tho will of tho people, nor can they be said to hold the special priviledge of making or unmaking Ministries. They have the right, I admit, to reject Sir Robert, but not to dictate what another constituency must do. What the aforesaid gentlemen are doing has been done in the Old Country. Mr Gladstone has been elected for threo constituencies at one time ; and I remember when Sir William Harcourt was Homo Secretary he was defeated at tho general elections, and one of the rank and file retired from Oxford in favor of him. I could mention others if I had space. I heartily wish the gentlemen every success.— I am, etc., P.S. Burnsidc, October 3.