INAHGAHUA ELECTION.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1278, 30 May 1883, Page 2

INAHGAHUA ELECTION.

(Ashburton Mail.)

Mr. Shaw won the Inangahua election by Government "influence." That is the : mild term applied "to the clearest case of bribery eVerprepetrated at an election in- New Zealand; When we first read that Mr Shaw was the candidate adopted by the Government we did not think that the patronage would effect the result. There was recent experience on whioh to base that opinion, Mr Weston, the late member for the Inangahua, was untrammeled in his Parliamentary action by the electors. Elected on an independent platform, Mr Weaton at first generally supported the Government, Gradually he became dissatisfied with their administration and lack of policy, and ultimately took tip the position of a leading member of the Opposition. There was no sigh of disapprobation amongst his constituents at this changing of sides, and there was universal regret when Mr Weston resigned the seat. The electors did not appear to care, a rush as to which side ofctluj Hofrse ' 'upod ' which tlieu? mm ber sat. In reality, par fcy^ •politics are unknown on the West Coast. There has generally been a leaning to Government candidates no matter what party was in power. That is the weak side of other constituencies as well as those on the West. Coast. ' In a, district lifce* Inangahua where contingent revenue is small, the prosecution pf local works largely depends • upon the favor of the Government Mr Shaw 1 had been a resident of the Coast, and- he knew how to profit by the, chronic 'impecuriiosity of the local bodies. No candidate ever made such promises before and gave so satisfactory assurances that they would be carried out. "No electioneering tricks," said Mr Shaw in effect ; " I carry in my pocket the authority of the Government Return me> and -every one of 'these promises shall be fulfilled." And he stilled tW voice of doubt by waving in the faces of the audience telegrams from the Ministry; Government influence legitimately exercised would ' have been worth nothing. Government influence in the shape of bribery has ' been mainly instrumental in sending Mr Shaw to Parliament. The Inangahua County Council was boughtover, and the weight of that powerful Veal body turned the scales' in favor of the Government nominee. . Ministers have revived memories of. the days whon the whole colony danced to the tuno of promised . public works. While deploring the questionable means by which Mr ghaw secured his election, we feel bound to say that he is not the nonentity one: might 1 ' suppose him to be from the telegrams forward during the contest- The election was not between a statesman of broad colonial views and a narrow local politician. Mr Shaw ig an English barrister, and that -he is possessed of considerable ability his career in this colony furnishes ample evidence. He was a Warden on the West Coast, and was afterwards promoted to the positions of Eesident Magistrate and District Judge of Wellington. We certainly attach no importance to those Government favors as a gauge of merit. Subserviency and backstairs influences have most to do with promotion in the publio service of the colony. However, without any pressure from the Government, Mr Shaw resigned the District Judgeship to practise as a barrister and solictor. Pools seldom suoceed in the legal profession. In a tery short

time, Mr Shaw became one of the leading lawyers of Wellington, with an erosive practice. In point of ,Y the n * w member for lnangahua be a capable representative for -7 constituency, jfc, wiII admifc ivT 7 wlu »t Mr Shaw lacked m brilliancy he nC , 6 fi to M^ Government Had M n r :Jf^ erd^n as obedient he would to-day be member for Inaugahua., Mr Shaw knows how to win an election, and if the means he employed -were discreditable he is not alone to blame. In some people obedience to their 'superiors is an instinct. From that point of view Mr Shaw may not ; prove a desirable addition to the House. There is now no doubt as to the causes which led to his return, though there has been an attempt to hide the real issue; The telegrams forwarded by the PreM Association *re supposed to be free otpartiamship, md as a rule they are, However, all Shrough the recent election the mesnges Bent from the Weet OoaSt were iharacterised by political bias. In a ecent telegram Mir Wakefield's defeat yas, attiibuted 'to thff Gatholio electors q a blb'ct voting for Mr Shaw. That tatement does not rest upon a foundaion of ti-uth. As a matter of fact, ever<d of the leading Catholics of the listrict were pronounced supporters of lr Wakefield, notably Mr Martin Kennedy and Mr Caples, The bußiless people of Keefton almost to a man oted for Mr Shaw, and theoverrhelming majority at the chief polling •lace secured his return. It was Jovernment bribery by favors to come hat gave Mr Shaw a majority. Ip be Grey .Valley, which had little tb xpect from the Government, Mr Wakefield secured the largest, number f votes. There can be no doubt that. >cal considerations had great weight i the election. Mr. Wakefield has - ated that if requested he will again >ntest the seat on a future occasion.