THE NEW CANDIDATE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 166, 31 October 1881, Page 2

THE NEW CANDIDATE.

The advent of Mr. Woolcock into the field imports a disturbing influence into the coming election, and can oDly be understood by looking below the surface. His chances of success are so small as render his candidature absurd, were it not that a very familiar political dodge is being played. Until he appeared at Mi*. Hutchison's meetings in the role of "an anxious inquirer " on subjects in respect to which Mr. Hutchison was suspiciously ready to give full information, Mr. Woolcock was never heard of in the district, and it is really too much to expect that people will already give him their confidence. He tells the electors in his address that he gave unqualified satisfaction to those whom he previously represented, but if this modest statement he covrect, it surely makes one more reason why he should not contest Egtnont. One of the Grey Valley electorates is evidently the place for him, especially as he has a chance of rendering great service to the country, and reducing the cost of Parliament by giving the leather-lunged Reeves his conge. However, this is beside the question. Until otherwise informed by the Wanganui Herald, we had come to the conclusion that the new candidate was playing dummy to My. Hutchison ; but our contemporary says, and as be is always so truthful, especially in political matters, it is painful to throw a doubt upon his assertion that Mr. Woolcock is put up by Major Atkinson's supporters. It is to be feared that the Herald either is not kept well posted up in the matter, or does nob choose to tell all it knows : otherwise it would have explained that, after due consideration, Mr. Hutchison does not care to go to the poll, and that he has therefore decided, if possible, to inform the electors that he is nothing if not consistent, and having frightened the Government into a reversal of the " weak and wasteful policy," he will refrain from opposition to Major Atkinson, as in the case of Mr. Bryce. This announcement will, no doubt, come in a day or two, and Mr. Hutchison will congratulate himself that he has retreated from an unpleasant position in good order. But the bitter personal feeling against Major Atkinson, which prompted opposition in the first' instauce, will find vent, and therefore JMr. Woolcock is to t&Ue Mr. Hutchison's j^aee in the field. It is no secret that negotiations are now going on which will^ probably eventuate in this arrangemeny If Mr. Hutchison's supporters turn disagreeable, of course he must continue his candidature, when Mr. Woolcock will do excellent sendee by robbing the Major of a few votes. Wanganui is the- home of political cunning, and it is /only because the wirepullers cannot *|ise above cunning, that they never succeed in their plans. As

for Mr. Woolcock's views on public matters, we decline to discuss them at present. He is simply a bogus candidate in the interest of the Hutchison party, and stands to lose not only the election but the political reputation of which he boasts.