THE WELLINGTON ELECTION.

Evening Star, Issue 8716, 7 January 1892, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON ELECTION.

TO THB EDITOR.

Sir,-*—l know not what might be the prevailing opinion in Wellington regarding the merits of the respective candidates—Messrs Bell and M'Lean—but it certainly strikes one aa being a peculiar oiroumstance in connection therewith when the Ministers who have been wet-nursing the Liberal candidate have not sufficient confidence in that candidate's qualifications to allow him to give expression to his opinions. It is the height of absurdity to argue that the question of Mr M'Lean's individual opinions must perforce be a secondary consideration to that of the broad principle that, despite opinions (political or otherwise) held candidate, Government supporters must by a blindly vote for the candidate selected by Ministers.

Now, sir, I venture to assert that true Liberals will naturally object to the spectacle of a candidate for parliamentary honors being chaperoned by Ministers, who will not allow the candidate to answer simple questions pnt to him with the object of learning whether his qualifications are such as to entitle him to the position. I have been a consistent supporter of Liberalism, and I rejoiced over the defeat of the Atkinson Ministry, whose sole desire seemed to be to secure remunerative positions of a permanent nature for themselves and friends; but, nevertheless, I would object to Ministers coming to Dunedin and acting the part of the learned grandmother to the aspiring but guileless offspring, and I certainly hold tblt Wellington Liberals have had ample reason to express dissatisfaction. It is with feelings of disgust that I am forced to'view the picture of Mr M'Learf—the picture of innocence, standing on the public platform—and if that useful article of juvenile attire, yclept the bib, was in evidence, the piotare of this sophistical candidate for parliamentary honors wonld be more complete. Then imagine Ministers —the Hob w. P. Beeves in the foreground (apropos I am surprised and disappointed at this gentleman stooping to the adoption of such unparliamentary tactics)—perched up behind the venturesome youngster, smiling benignly upon the electors below, and in a confidential and patronising whisper remarking: "This is our boy—onr own laddie. Never mind what he knows or doesn't know; never think of what his opinions are, He is our adopted son; if you love as) oar children, oar trotted followers, vote

for our chosen one." The spectacle of Ministers carefully shepherding and P»»ttng an avowed supporter (who has not sufficient backbone to fight his own battles, lest an indisoreet or foolish answer or statement might damn his ohance of success) is one not to my liking, and not to the liking of many of my Wellington friende, and does not redound to the credit of either the candidate or the Government he is supporting.-! am, etc, ModKratps. Dunedin, January 6.