Manawatu Herald FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1879. UNION IS STRENGTH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 98, 15 August 1879, Page 2

Manawatu Herald FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1879. UNION IS STRENGTH.

A very savoury bait is held out by our Palmerston contemporary to Mr { Sanson, the evident object of which is to tempt that gentleman to contest the Manawatu seat. If such an evenr took place, our forces would simply be divided, and we should utterly go to the wall. We are not, of 00111*86, aware whether Mr Sanson's friends have any idea of bringing him forward. If they have, we can assure them, they would spend their labour in vain. We thoroughly respect Mr Sanson's energy and public spirit, but his only chance ■would be with the unanimous vote of the South Manawatu, and this he would certainly not get, with Mr Johnston in the field. Even in the Sandon district, we believe Mr Johnston vyould gain a large number of votes against all comers. At the same time we believe Mr Sanson would, if he stood, score a sufficient number of votes to seriously endanger Mr Johnston's election ; but not enough to head the poll. We are a minority of the electoral district.' A block vote in the northern portion, or disunion in our own, would undoubtedly result in our complete defeac. We present the matter thus plainly to Mr Sanson, and trust he will not be influenced by our contemporary's "graceful tribute." If at any future time South Manawatu has its own particular member (and we hope that day is ■not far distant) Mr Sanson would receive considerable support if he stood for the seat, and would have a strong claim upon the district. But at pre-

sent tho light is on a purely local question. It is— Shall wg elect a nvm who will represent tlic whole district, or ono who will represent a part ? Tho railway question brings matters to a focus. Mr Halcotubo is a northern man ; so is Mr Snelson ; whilst Mr Johnston is, we believe, neutral. The fight Is not on political questions. Mr Halcombe and Mr Johnston are certainly both ou the sr.me political plat-i'»-in. Tho political ijUcslioiis oi the ! diiVj i Lore tore, i.-uiuot be .said :>> outer j into the struggle. The southern portion of the district desires to take up a position of defence ; the northern desires to use its strength to gain what we consider does not belong to it. The issue being thus a purely local one, it becomes our duty to staud to the man who will deal fairly with both ends of tho district, and whose chances of election aie sufficiently strong to give reasonable hope of his return. Those chances (so far as Mv Johnston is concerned) would be materially damaged by Mr Srtiison's candidature, and if any intention to bring that gentleman forward exists amongst the Saudon electors, avc trust they will at least for the present refrain from action which would divide the voting power of South Manawatu.