THE ELECTIONS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 276, 10 November 1911, Page 4

THE ELECTIONS.

The opening speech in the contest for ilm Napier seat, was delivered by Mr. E. t'rowley at Taradalc last night. The candidate had no reason to complain of the reception accorded him. it v.as a -maiden speech” and in such ciicumstances tlie candidate is always somewhat al a disadvantage. Last night Mr. Crowley was visibly nervous and he was unable to attack liis points with 'he freedom and effectiveness of an old practised platform speaker ; but he displayed an honesty of purpose and a desire for clean government which carried a strong iccommenda- ! ion to the people present. It. convinced them—if wc may use the il lustration- that they we>e living afforded something which had semething like purpose behind it. It offered tlie electors an alternative io the present adniinistraion. In opening his address last night, Mr. Crowley said he wished to clear away any misunderstanding regarding his candidature. XX e desire to do the same in reference to cur attitude during the elections. It is not i.sir intention to -pu c h’’ the candidature of any particular person, irrespective of his qualifications or because he belongs to some particular group of the political organisation. XX'e wish to see each man get "a fair run.” and be judged as <- man and on bis policy. XX e liav< freely criticised the present Government policy- or. rather, lack of pol K v--but that will not deter us from extending to every candidate the fullest measure of fair play within our power. XX’e do net propose to take up the position which :s s< characteristically tlie rccogn ised privilege cf our milk and water morning reiiieiiipciary. XX e do not propose to say "wc think that rhe people might think. Ihat if we think they might think that the electors will possibly think that the majority of them think that as wc 'think they might just as will think that the country thinks Opposition candidates should be supported. That is hardly cur purpose in political life. It is <mr honest wish to con- \ inef the pci.pie we have no personal motives behind our public actions. Certainly we do not think that it is wise to think what other people think before wc think for ourselves, but we hope that any candidate in the present election will lie able to come to us freely with the knowledge that he will get fair play. XX cdo not intend to debase this journal for parly purposes and let the "other fellow” in only per medium of om advert'sing columns. The "Tribune was established for a very different reasen. It came into existence so that there should be no obstacle in the way of the people expressing tluir free opinion upon the matters which affect the public welfare. The work of a newspaper should be t<: guide and help the people to express tbrir wishes upon till matters afieeting their social, moral and political progress. XX e aim to fill this lull, and we hope that when the contest is over no man will be able to say the "Tribuiie” refused Irin "ring privileges.” XVe wish the people cf the province to see a “clean” journalistic light thiy need no illustration of flic i.tlicr class. It has been stated that we are in the field to represent conservative ideas, but Hits is by no means our miss'on. XX e are not out in ri present hide-bound Tory ism or Liberal expediency mongering, but wc are out to serve, and if possible guide, the people. XX'e must, adopting the customary elcct-rm .address i style, apologise to our audience for tiiis "personal explanation.” but we believe in the interests of the public it is advisable. It is not done to lam! up our own virtues, but to let the people know that they have a free channel for expression unclogged by personal animosity or unhampered bv commercialism. That is the point we want the people cf this district to take home with them and remember. Tlie position in Hastings has already been made clear. In Napier the contest has yetto be developed. XX'e know Mr. Brown's policy —or we must again use the qualification —lack of policy, and don’t like it. Mr. CrovvIhy represents a political organisai tion which is by no means blest with a monopoly of virtues, but it carries the suggestion of the cleaning up and vivifying of polities. As Mr. Hill, the i Labour representative, has not yet i placed his platform before us. we ! obv ioiisly cannot in fairness pass judgment upon him.