Lake Wakatip Mail. QUEENSTOWN, TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1908 A BYE ELECTION.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2661, 26 May 1908, Page 4

Lake Wakatip Mail. QUEENSTOWN, TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1908 A BYE ELECTION.

Bye elections Are bo rare in New Zealand—for which we are duly grateful—that when one does come it excites an interest much beyond its worth. This at least is the case in connection with the vacancy for Tuapeka caused by the death of Mr Bennett. No matter which [of the candidates is returned he will have to factjthe electors again in November next. His preliminary canter, however, will enable him to acquire much local knowledge. For the present bye-election there are threecandidatesfor oneseat. This is bad and will furnish argument in support of Sir J. 0. Ward's Absolute Majority {Bill unless, of course, the successful candidate succeeds in polling twice as many votes as his two rivals. This irritating and regrettable triangular contests due to the Government party. These are so eager to show their patriotism and disinterestedness that two of them have entered against one Oppositionist, thus creating an opportunity for the Opposition candidate (Mr Scott) to slip in. The Government candidates are Dr Chapple, who recently toured the district—or part of it—in company with the Premier «nd who has'come all the way from Wellington to contest the seat, and Mr James Horn, a strong local resident who has the honour of receiving the Ministerial backing. We rather think Mr Horn will win. He seems to be a man of some ability and natural shrewdness who while painting the Government's virtues in too bright colours has none the less strong views of his own on the land question, which are not those the Government held .in 1906. Dr Chapple speaks well, is? not destitute of political knowledge and would make an excellent representative. It is rather a pity that he sprang in and spoiled a fair and square engagement between the Government and Opposition. Personal ambition, we regret, has always been superior to party disci pline in New Zealand politics. Mr Scott for the Opposition is not shaping any too well, some of his criticisms being out of unsupported by argument. The threw candidates taken all round may be regarded as typical of what the Dominion can do in the way of political representatives and we h&Y6 no leason to be ashamed of the material at our command. However the election may go in Tuapeka, the district will have nothing to regret in the mental and moral calibre of her next parliamentary representative.