The Hastings Standard Published Daily. SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 1896. ROWDY ELECTORS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 166, 7 November 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 1896. ROWDY ELECTORS.

I-V>r the cause that lacks assistance, J'< >r the that nee<l resistance I-"i.>r the future in th<* distance. And the fjond that we can do.

The noisy, witless, beer-sodden elector has unfortunately an existence. He turns up where ho is least required uiul does much harm to the party which claim his sympathies, such as they he. To howl down a political opponent at a public meeting is the cud and aim of the rowdy elector, and bv such tactics, instead of injuring the election prospects of the hostile candidate, he helps to foster und strengthen thorn. Such must he the result of the work of the howling, senseless mob that prevented Sir Robert Stout receiving a fair hearing at Wellington on Wednesday evening last. We are not believers in the Knight, but at the same time we can in no way sympathise with those whose barbaric conduct justly merits the condemnation of all sober-minded men. Viewed from a party light, as a question of election tactics, such action is to be deplored, for it secures for the oppressed candidate that sympathy which under other conditions would not be shown him. And this sympathy wins votes and secures an election. Sir Robert Stout, in being hissed at and howled down by an irreverent and thoughtless mob, may, and no doubt does, feel that his chances of election have considerably improved. The rowdy elector at a public meeting does an unpardonable injury to the rest of the audience, for he says in effect: " I am opposed to this candidate, and will not hear what he has to say nor will I allow anyone else to hear his speech. 7 ' At an election meet- ' ing the majority, we say without fear j of contradition, invariably wish to S bear all that the candidate may have

to say, though they may not feel any sympathy for the .sentiments of the speaker. It is the spirit of fairness that asserts itself, and the candidate is allowed to speak his mind freely. The fairest of fair hearings was accorded the Labor candidate for Wellington, and the fact redounds to the credit of the Conservatives ; and as a compliment, if from no other motive, Sir Robert Stout should have been permitted freedom of speech. Of course it was galling to some that Sir Robert should criticise the Government, but this does not give a license to mob law. We frankly admit that Sir Robert has a perfect right to criticise the actions of Ministers; we go further, and say that such criticism is necessary and desirable. There are always two sides to every question, and it is well for the electors to hear both sides. Criticism should be welcomed by Ministers as showing them wherein they fall short of the reality. No Government is perfect, and the electors rather gain than loose by having pointed out to them the imperfections of those who for the time being govern the country. We are extremely sorry for Sir Robert Stout's meeting, on the ground that it was not only unwarranted but bad election tactics, and those who wisli to see Mr Seddon and his party returned with a majority will agree with us.