ANTI-POISON GAS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10738, 8 November 1928, Page 3

ANTI-POISON GAS.

* (To the Editor.) Sir, —A thoughtful man cannot look uoon present clay methods oi electioneering'without regret for the low ethical tone displayed. A representative footballer is not chosen for his ability to throw mud at an opponent, but because he under-stands-the game truly arid plays ball instead of the man. Tins feature of playing the man, instead of the policy he stands for, was nevei more evident than at present. Your journal cannot be absolved from some measure of censure in this respect. You certainly play against policies but, nevertheless, you are 'miltv of watching the man instead of the “ball,” with the consequence that your hoot very often just glances off and strikes the man. Some of the candidates, however, are openly missing the ball and deliberately kicking tlie man. There is no doubt that every political policy and platform is vulnerable to criticism, and contains weaknesses, no matter what, care and thought lias been bestowed on the compilation. Under the present party system of politics, each candidate is selected bv a party and that candidate is morally bound to adhere to the policy laid down by the party selecting him. Therefore, under present methods, the actual candidate is of but little moment, outside his reputation as an honest, reliable advocate and supporter of the policy his party stands for. Therefore, it is a most regrettable feature when we read of men .that we know are honest and reliable citizens- being indicted with political dishonesty and such like. Dishonesty is the same in all its phases and to say a man is dishonest in one thing’ is. tantamount r 0 branding him with dishonest tendencies in all things. The -higher percentage ,of criticism from both press . and platform has, so far, been directed against the personnel of the {critical parties, not against the policies) of the parties. Every political partychanges its policy_ to meet the advancing education in its own and the public mind, just as a_ -lilltl growing to maturity throws -aside that which 'has no longer an educative value in its new sphere of rife. Does a suitor win. a lady’s hand by t rying to blacken the character of loss; rival ? Such an action would- be foolish;, ; especially so- if the lady knew that the person so maligned wgs really a thoroughly estimable rival. Let us have, a little more playing the ball, instead of the. man, for the ball, or policy, is the real matter at issue. As an example of the i 3oSS il>ilities under the man-playing system, allow me for a moment to assume that policies were not the factor and the man only to be chosen for himself. Which of the three candidates is the most popular in public favor? Probably your readers will see my point.—l am, Yours etc.. SAAI. J. PEARSON.