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Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9624, 16 January 1892, Page 4

The Wellington election has resulted, as we predicted, in a victory for the Liberal candidate. This result is a matter for congratulation in every way. There can be no doubt that the contest was fought out on party lines. In the initiatory stages the personal element predominated. Mr Bell had just been elected Mayor of Wellington. His wealth, his connections, his ability, and bis other advantages were adroitly used to throw a glamour over his candidature. The three Wellington journals, usually so diverse in their opinions, were unanimous in supporting Mr Bell and in denouncing Mr M‘Lean. But as time wore on, the glamour passed away. The electors recognised that the hosts of the people and the vested interests were engaged in a conflict on which large issues depended. Ministers, when refused all assistance at the hands of what one of them described as the “triple alliance” of newspapers, went on to the platform and employed their debating powers in a style which more than compensated for the absence of leading articles in favour of the Liberal candidate. The position, therefore, is this: On a direct party issue, in a city by no means Liberal in its instincts, against a wealthy, popular, able and influential Mayor, a plain, unpolished man has been returned. to the House, simply because the party he supports is acceptable to the people. Need anything more be said ? There is, however, one other point from which the victory may be viewed. A comparison of the numbers polled yesterday with the numbers polled at the general election in December of 1890 gives very interesting results. At the general election the highest number polled was 2851, by Mr Fisher, who stood as a Liberal; then came Mr Duthie, a Conservative, with 2785, and Mr Kennedy Macdonald, another Liberal, with 2498. The defeated candidates were Mr Bell, 2305 ; Mr Jellicoe, 1920; Mr Fraser, 1762; Mr M‘Lean, 1067, and Mr Winter, 722. It will be seen that in 1890 Mr Bell beat his recent opponent by 1238 votes. Yesterday, m‘ a party contest, and with the full support of the party, Mr M'Leau avenged his former defeat, and polled the largest number of votes ever recorded in an election in New Zealand, beating even Mr Pinkerton’s record of 3203. The comparison shows that the Liberal sentiment has taken firm root in Wellington. It is a triumphant vindication of the policy and administration of the Government. It shows, too, that if the Wellington Liberals bad united their forces at the general election they would have returned three members. The lessons of the contest are (1) that the Liberals have the people behind them, and (2) that organisation and tactical skill are essential to complete success.