The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, JULY 14, 1884. OPPOSITION CANDIDATES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume V, Issue 848, 14 July 1884, Page 2

The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, JULY 14, 1884. OPPOSITION CANDIDATES.

Somk months ago when Major Atkinson visited this district, his chance of re-elec-tion was being discussed, and nearly all sf those present anticipated that he would be returned unopposed. Since then his Ministry has been defeated, and instead of recognising this as the verdict of tbe country, through its representatives, he has attributed it solely to the factious desertion of a few former allies, who, he says, have voted in accordance with their convictions, uo doubt, but have been misguided by the narrowness of their views and by the feeling of the particular localities which they happen to represent. He fails to see, or declines to admit, that tbe bulk of the Opposition would not be influenced by narrow local considerations, and that something more than local considerations must have inflneuced a majority of the House of Representatives to induce a vote of want of confidence. Since the dissolution he has carefully locked up his future policy — if he has one — iv his own breast, and has asked his constituents to renew their expression of confidence in him, without himself in any way confiding in them. Even on the more pressing questions of the day — revision of taxation, electoral reform, charitable aid, Legislative Council reform, the taxing of lands abutting on new railways, the imposition of an incoma tax on professional salaries, &c— -he is absolutely silent: he neither says he is for or agaiust them. He keeps his opinions to himself, aud is thus free in future to move in any direction which may best suit him. These are the objections we have urged, and still urge, against him, but grave though they are, they do not so far destroy our confidence in him as to cause us to refuse him support. He knows that his past record is a good one. He can point to native affairs, financial reform, and land administration as matters their successful handling of which the Ministry has reason to be proud ; and he can say with some foree — as he does cay very forcibly — " According as we have done in the past, we propose to do in the future." His past record. is a good one, and his future intentions are probably likewise. An influential member whose strength is so fully recognised that Ministry after Ministry has felt itself constrained to enlist him, surely deserves re-election for the sake of services rendered. It now seems probable that the shortcoming which we indicated above is likely to meet with its due punishment. Many would-be representatives recognise that Major Atkinson's speech left a feeling of disappointment, and in some cases also a little bitterness, behind it. They believe that tbis feeling is so deep and so wide-spread tbat they can in consequence look forward to a large measure of support which they might not otherwise have procured. There may or may not be truth in these rumors of opposition, but bad Major Atkinson been a little more conciliatory in his tone and a little more open as to bis future policy, it is exceedingly unlikely that opposition would have come forward. Much as the electors would like a little more information about his future policy, and recognising as they do that now ia the only time, when, as tbe Major says, " the people aro the masters," and that their rule is very brief, it is still very questionable if it is wise to press for a contested election. Tbe additional trouble and expense both to tbe colony and to the electors is very considerable,, and tbe chance of any ■opposition being successful is very remote. As _ yet, Mr. J- Jackson ' r olly is in the field. We undertook 'a^' } tbe outset to accord to all 'coiners a fair hearing, and, as far as is

consistent with support promised to Major i Atkinson, impartial treatment. Mr. Jack- c son may certainly be thankful that we have refrained from comment. It* as is ' stated, he proposes to address the electors j here, and to go to the poll, we shall then 3 be in duty bound to comment seriously on an address which, up to the present, < we had regarded as a political skit; in 1 which light we shall still hold his address < until we are couvinced to the contrary. • The nominations will be at noon tomorrow, wheu all doubts as to opposition will be finally set at rest. j