THE H.B. TRIBUNE. THURSDAY, MAY 25,1911. THE NAPIER SEAT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 136, 25 May 1911, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. THURSDAY, MAY 25,1911. THE NAPIER SEAT.

The unfeigned pleasure with which the people have greeted the announcement of Mr. George Nelson’s candidature for Napier city leads to the belief that he has every reason to count on victory at the forthcoming contest. The deputation yesterday showed clearly the widespread support which will be accorded him. The gathering was composed of men of all shades of political opinion, from all quarters of the town, and each speaker was able to give assurance of enthusiastic support. Mr. Nelson, as a cautious man, hesitated to say off-hand that he. would enter the fray. He wanted some proof behind the word pictures which already made him an M.P. But he did not hesitate long, for the members of the deputation were able to put doubts on one side as to the ultimate success of the campaign. Having committed himself, Mr. George Nelson is not the one to turn back ; neither is he one to let the grass grow under his feet in the matter of organisation. But better still, he is a clean-thinking straightforward man who, while making the pace warm and keep- , ing his opponents busy will descend to no questionable tactics. There will be no underhand dealing or misrepresentation and what he has to say will be said openly and fearlessly. As a speaker remarked yesterday, “Mr. Nelson’s great advantage is that he starts ’•clean.” These are true words which strike home to the people, for his reputation stands untarnished by any deed unworthy of a gentleman and a man. In a lifelong acquaintance with Napier, no public action of his has ever been tinged with suspicion of dishonour and the people have learned to trust him. Scorning deception heartily, Mr. Nelson’s first action was to tell the deputation yesterday that before they committed themselces to support him they should understand that he would contest the election as an Independent Liberal, and that lie would go in free and unhampered to do what he thought right or stay out. Needless to say, this straignt out talk gripped the feelings of the meeting and he was cheered to the echo. But last, though by no means least, we are glad indeed to see that he has watched and judged the pernicious influence of the door-mat politician. "Don’t expect me to retain the seat if it depends upon the number of post offices and railway stations I am to get for you.” he declared. He does not believe in getting public money spent in a way in which he would not spend his own. and it is devoutly to be hoped that Mr. Nelson and many more members like him will, after next election, help to lift New Zealand politics out of the slough of parochialism in which they have wallowed for the last ten years. We want to see Parliament raised from the level of a gigantic commission-agency organisation to a plane where clean thinkers and straight-talkers will replace the popularity-mongers and pump politicians which unfortunately have so much power today. The different phases of our political life which have bred this condition of things will be fully dealt with in subsequent articles. To-day it is really but our object to introduce Mr. Nelson’s candidature to our readers, but we could not refrain from expressing keen pleasure at his declaration of war against a pernicious system which has done so much to degrade and corruptNewZealandpolitics. At this moment there is nothing more to add than to promise the public that this year there will be no repetition of the tactics of last election. - If there is a contest it will be a fight right out in the open and if anyone wishes to criticise Mr. Nelson, or any other candidate who may offer his serveices to the people, our columns are open for the purpose.