THE HEATHCOTE ELECTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 9269, 25 November 1890, Page 6

THE HEATHCOTE ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sik,—l am at a loss to know how Mr Shodes and his supporters can expect to hoodwink the electors into supporting Mr Ehodes, seeing he is going about at this lata hour of the election more like the rats at night, and not like other men in the field in the broad light of day. We hear of one Committee after another being formed. It is just this. A few men are going to form themselves into small Committees—for such they are—and that small body of men say to the electors of the whole district, “ Behold, we few superior men, with many chairmen, will shortly show you a miracle. We will, after laying our deep and skilful plans, bring out a man (mind, you shall see him soon, if you are very good) whom you are all bound to accept and vote for.” Now, Mr Editor, this hole-and-corner work, to my mind, looks like nothing more or less than an insult to any set of electors that have the least grain of common sense. This man is brought out, or will be trotted out, when these very wise few shall see fit, and let there be order and silence at that time above all others, and let it he understood you must all give Mr Ehodes your votes, for the few wise men have chosen him—men who can represent the few men of money are better to send to Parliament than men who will so far forget themselves as to represent the masses of the people. By the way, sir, I see that this too modest young man is actually going to speak at Sumner. Well, really, it is a nice quiet place. Ido hope the sea will not make a noise, or he may get confused, and have to retreat into, the solitude from which the few have brought him. I hope, anyhow, he will have his Committeemen and all his Chairmen to hear him, if there is no one else. Now, I think a man who wishes to be returned would hardly play the game he has done of Committees. I for one think that it would be better for him to throw up the sponge with honour, rather than to be beaten, as he surely will by an open, honest workman. Kis Committeemen and Chairmen will vote for him, or most of them; but I do not think many others will. Working men stand to your rights. You may expect none from the other side if you throwaway your chance that is in your hands. Do we not see in this case men who were always professed supporters of the Liberal party turned rigbc round to the other side ‘i I should like to know what is to be next, or what their principles are worth when it is in the hands of men like these to fetch out a young beginner. —I am, &c„ UNIONIST.