The Star. MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1881. MR. HUTCHISON'S CANDIDATURE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 154, 3 October 1881, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1881. MR. HUTCHISON'S CANDIDATURE.

The election address published in our advertising columns this evening would set at rest all doubts as to Mr. Hutchison contesting the district with Major Atkinson, were it not that he has already issued another and rather more explicit manifesto to the electors of Waitotora. Truth to say, Mr. Hutchison seems a little fickle, and ifc is to be feared that so far as the approaching general election is concerned, he will find that his indecision has been one of those blunders which are more damaging than the political sins of sitting members. The address in itself is not unskilful. Of his own merits, Mr. Hutchison is quite dumb, he is even silent as to the articles of his political creed : he simply offers himself in protest against what he terms the " weak and wasteful " Native policy of the Government, and the action of Major Atkinson in reference to the harbor. So far as the former is concerned, Mr. Hutchison's position would have been intelligible, were it not that he is opposing Mr. Bryce, whose nameis identified with an exactly opposite policy. We are af raid Mr. Hutchison is not quite honest. As he objects to both Mr. Bryce and Major Atkinson, he should in fairness have indicated what his views are. We are nut prepared to say that Major Atkinson's action has not given the new candidate a plausible excuse for coming forward, or that Mr. Hutchison has not a fair prospect of getting a good share of Waiinate-Patea support ; but, on the other hand, we fancy settlers will want to know what they can gain by ousting Major Atkinson. Time is fast removing 1 oar grievance in i\ie maiier t>s representation. The next Representation Act will free this district from outside domination, and until then we may as well be represented by New Plymouth as Wanganui. Personally, we apprehend there is no compai'ison between Mr. Hutchison and Major Atkinson. The one is an untried man, who will have to serve an apprenticeship to politics before he becomes useful ; the other occupies a position which any politician may envy : long experience, high character, and great ability in a department of Government to which too few of our public men have the inclination or the brains to turn their attention. The defeat of Major Atkinson would unquestionably be a vri'His loss to the colony, and happily ■• • " ' I'J'oiv to romp.l3B

that resu't. However, if Mr. Hutchison has made up his mind to run for Egtnont, if he is quite sure he would not like to try, say New Plymouth, or Rangitikei, or Manawatu, he shall have no complaint of unfair play. We shall endeavor to put his views fully and impartially before every elector, though we eannofc promise him support.