The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1917.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4474, 15 February 1917, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1917.

A very interesting position Inis arisen in connection \v i t h t li e Hawke’s Bay seat rendered vacant by the widely-deplored death of the Hon. Dr. McNab. As a sequel to the establishment of the National Ministry, a party contest for the seat is, of course, not possible. The seat belongs to the Liberals, and, under the agreement that was made with reference to by-elections, the Reform Liberals are bound to assist in the return of a supporter of Sir Joseph Ward. It is, however, not at all likely that the official Liberal candidate—whoever he may prove to he—will be allowed a walk-over. Even if only one Liberal supporter should stand there would be the chance that a representative of Labor might also step into the arena. But quite apart from the attitude which the Labor party may elect to take up, evidence is not wanting that a contest between an official Liberal candidate and at least one unofficial Liberal aspirant will eventuate. There are already quite a number of offers by prominent Liberals in the electorate to stand for the seat, hut the leaders of the Liberal side have ignored all such applications and are, seemingly, desirous of foisting Sir John Findlay on the electors of Hawkers Bay. In the circumstances, it is. not surprising to find that the condition of affairs which lias resulted in the Liberal camp in Hawke’s Bay is what-is usually described as “anyhow.” Sii John Findlay is showing a good deal of diplomacy in the matter. He cannot forget that, in so far as political contests are concerned, he ranks as a candidate already twice rejected by the people. The electors of Welling-

The Vacant Hawke’s Bay Seat.

an some years back turned their acks .on him, and; subsequently, •hen lie became an “imported” offiial Liberal aspirant for Parnell he ■as also given a similar answer. Sir t I'ohn Findlay, as is well-known held , he Leadership of the Upper House i, nd the Attorney-Generalship tor ome years during the period that the Ward Government was in power but us appointi/ient was made without reference of the matter to the electors of any constituency. We teel, therefore, that a good deal of sympa-1 bhy will be felt for the numerous Hawke’s Bay Liberals who are averse to Sir John Findlay being given the official Liberal label m connection with the by-election. Quite apait .. ~ + v, q + the late Attorneyfrom the fact that, no nit , , General is a political reject, Hawke s Bay, being a country electorate, ns entitled to be represented by a member who is well versed in the requirements of the “people on the Bind The late Dr. McNab, when he was “imported” into Hawke’s Bay by the Liberal party, certainly did not labor under the handicap to which we have just been alluding. But, as we have already indicated, Sir John Findley is proceeding very cautiously nn the matter. His acceptance of the offer of nomination by the official Libera) party has not been very ready. . fs declared by his friends that he u anxious, before definitely decldl “k £ stand, to have assurances that th people of the electorate wish to hat him as their member! The grea hubbub that prevails m the Libera camp in Hawke’s Bay over the mat ter is, of course, the reason why th< Hon W. D. S. MacDonald is spend ing a few days in the electorate. No bodv we are certain, will envy Mr MacDonald his task. How things ar going is not as yet definitely known Is it not somewhat significant thal so far, he has not made any an nouncement? This fact lends cole to the suggestion that Mr. Mac or aid is experiencing considerable aitt cultv in handling the awkward sitiu tion that has arisen. If the Minisic for Agriculture imagines, for « stance, that Mr. lan Simson can fc lightly persuaded from standing o this occasion we think that he ui find himself sadly mistaken. It wi be of interest to watch further d« velopments.