PUBLIC OPINION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15335, 18 June 1910, Page 10

PUBLIC OPINION.

FROM YESTERDAY’S NEWSPAPERS.

(By Telegraph.)

THE AUCKLAND ELECTION

Perhaps the discomfiture of tho Independent Labour Party, and incidentally of thoso incursive busy-bodies, Messrs Taylor, M’Laren and M’Cullougli, is tlie outstanding feature of the result. This discomfiture cannot bo attributed to tile double nomination of Mr Davis and Sir M’Knjglit, seeing that Mr M’Knight polled only 75 votes. Tho finally-accepted representative of tho labour organisations could muster no more than 1087 supporters against Mr .Myers's 3180, and this in. spite of Mr Taylor’s confident anticipation that Auckland East would furnish the dominion with a startling proof of tho coming predominance of Independent Labour as a political force. Is it too much to hope that yesterday’s display of comparative impotence may lead to a reconsideration of the question whether Labour has anything substantial to gain from a dissolution of the Liberal allianceP —Dunedin “ Star.” OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE.

In securing tho return of Mr Myers both parties have practically joined forces, and though a deaerate _ attempt was made by southern politicians to prevent his election, the voting of yesterday shows plainly what is thought of that interference in Auckland East. Wo may hope that this election will lie a precedent for many others in Auckland and tho north, and that party lines will be similarly ignored wherever a candidate of representative character and ascertained independence can bo induced to solicit tho suffrages of the electors. —“Now Zealand Herald.”

SOUTHERN ALIENS. The outcome of the contest for tho City East seat ia, in our opinion, in every way satisfactory. The pcoplo of Auckland, or at least a large and influential section of thorn, have triumphantly vindicated their right to manage their own affairs. The most remarkable feature of the campaign bas been tho invasion of this city by a band of self-styled Labour leaders from tho south, who, without any authority from tho workers in their own districts, came here determined not. only to run this election according to their own ideas of politics and propriety but also to force a southern nominee of their own upon our constituency. We do not wonder that tho electors of City East resented this gratuitous interference with their affairs, and they have expressed their disapproval in a manner sufficiently emphatic to convince our uninvited guests that Auckland is quite competent to manago its own political business for itself.— Auckland “ Star.” AN ILL-ADVISED PROCEEDING. The City Council did the right thing last night in reversing the extraordinary decision of its Finance Committee. Oh grounds of “public expediency” the committee decided that Mr Joseph M’Cabo’s application for uso of tho Town Hall for lecture purposes should lie refused. Mr M’Cabe’s friends may at any rate congratulate themselves that this ill-advised proceeding has given the lecturer an advertisement which can hardly fail to ensure the success of his mission. It would doubtless bo easy to cite far higher scientific authorities than the lecturer who have come to an opposite conclusion, but the point is not whether Mr M’Cabe is right in all or any of Ilia opinions, but whether bo has a right to be heard.— Wellington “ Post.” THE AUCKLAND ELECTION.

Tlie return of Mr Myers for Auckland, even with so handsome a majority over, four opponents, is merely confirmative of general anticipations. He is avery well-known citizen, who has never chirked the obligations of wealth, and has shown a progressive public spirit in his attitude upon local ijnd national affairs. Mr Myers will take his seat in Parliament, as a general supporter of Liberal policy, and it may be reasonably anticipated that his wide experience in business and municipal administration wifi make him a useful member of the Legislature.—“ Now Zealand Times.”