Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1908. THE NELSON ELECTION. THE RESULT AND ITS MORAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 26 November 1908, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1908. THE NELSON ELECTION. THE RESULT AND ITS MORAL.

THE election has come and gone. The battle has been lost and won; bin both armies finish with practically equal strength. Whatever political views are held, and whatever opinions people entertain, Mr Graham is to be congratulated on his return to Parliament as the member for Nelson for the sixth time in succession, although his majority is this time so small that defeat has almost been met with. Few politicians maintain favour- with a majority for so long a period. Twice now has Mr Atmore almost secured the apple, and considering that much industry, energy, and conscientious effort have been put into the work by him, defeat, by such small majorities, both in 1905 and at this election, is very "bad luck," and a certain extent of sympathy for this reason goes out to him. Reviewing tbe campaign, which has been long and keen, it can be said, speaking broadly, that personalities have not been on the surface all the time. In this connection it has beenoticeable that Mr Graham has followed a far higher course than it has been his custom to proceed along in former ycara. He is deserving of credit for this. With regard to Mr Atmore, his start in regard to personalities was not too good; but he improved, and for the greater part of the campaign wo were pleased to find that his tactics were, what we considered creditable. He disappointed us, however, in his«coneluding address, aud his undignified attack on this jourual and a member of its staff acting in his private capacity was a discreditable affair. Dealing with his attack on this journal, for his remarks in relation to a private citizen do uot concern us, a few words by way of explanation may be advisable. In the first place, let us admit that an unfortunate error was made; but it was so obvious and 'so absurd that when it had been explained by U3 any reasonable person would snvely have thought that Mr Atmore would asknowledge it. It will be ro-aeuib'.rt'd it was asserted that Mr Granam had a majority over tli.- sccoud cauuidate of "210" iu the city aloue — a mistake for HO. Our figures showed that Mr Graham's whole majority in both town and country amounted only to 213. Surely if wo were prompted by the contemptible motives that Mr Atmorc inferred wo were, we would have found other means to make the "misrepresentation." Mr Atmore also referred to the fact that tho "Mail" had said that Mr Graham had a substantial majority. This also was fully explained in reply to a letter Mr Atmore wrote drawing attention to these two matters. There it was shown, and anybody who turna up the article can see, that the "majority" referred to was mentioned in connection with former election procedure, and not in relation to the second ballot majority, which, of course, is supposed to be, and is, if there is a complete poll, an absolute majority. One would have expected Mr Atmoro to possess the courtesy to acknowledge so obvious an error, and the straightforwardness to read our leading article properly, and not p'ck out a few word3 which by themselves have a different meaning than when read with the context in the article. It was pointed out to Mr Atmore at the meeting that his statement to the effect that the mistake was a deliberate attempt to mislead- was a falsehood; but Mr Atmore did not reply to this. -Rumour, insidious rumour, has been prevalent throughout the campaign, and at various times we have done out best to warn electors in regard to rumour. Nothing should be taken for granted at election time. There is no denying the fact that rumour has been particularly busy between the two ballots. Mr Graham's Sunday excursion to Aniseed Valley has been giving him a lot of trouble. He should have known, as an old politician, that no matter, however much he had determined not to hold a political meeting on that day, and we see no reason to disbelieve his denials of the statements that a political meeting was held on that Occasion, it would provide a cry to circulate against him. We havS : no doubt ; that; politics were talked; -but anything in the shape 'of a political meeting we do not for a moment believe took place.. The 7s a day bullet ha3been persistenly pelting Mr Graham with apparently good effect. Those persons who circulated -this rumour ; should be ashamed of themselves. The sincerity with whicH each side ; proclaims its virtues, and the "pub- ] lie-spirited way" it reveals the vioes | in the other side are, to say the least, \ really amusing. „ ] Especially now that Mr Graham i possesses such a small majority, it is to bo hoped that opponents and friends will work together for the good of the electorate. When the J 1911 campaign commences, if there is ' not an clootion in the meantime, will [ be tbe time for supporting or opposing, j It is not men, but measures, that „ should be attacked. It will be, more- t over, for Mr Graham to forget all v late election activities, both for and against;- and. doubtless he realises that he represents all, and not merely supporters. The interests off the dis- \ trict should be kept well the fore- Jj front by all true citizens in Nelson, v and it will be well for all concerned if the vision ; is not obscured by petty „ jealousies, which have unfortunately o] blurred too .many of the movements fi inaugurated for the improvement of S the city and district. ... . « It is not enough to have (rood clothe* : S cou must wear them woll. In other a ! R-ords, you must use a P.D. Corset Of '" ill models, the P.D. is the most delight- w r ul. It confers that suggestion of rare £ listinction which marks the *' nan. It gives to an effective costume P E he necessary note of personal quality, , ° l he indefinable grace 'of style. Wear ic io othsr. All stores 6cl 2 £ t* v «

FORTUNATELY for the country, swept in one or two electorates, the nnnec2S?ary turmoil, loss of time, and icceu political strife stirred up by the pernicious and absolutely mischievous Second Ballot Act are over, and unless tha Government invite defeat they will be chary in opposing an early repeal of the measure. Virtually, in only two electorates has the real object of the second ballot been secured —the prevention of Sir William Hassell's return to Parliament, a circumstanco deeply regretted throughout the Dominion, and the re-election of Mr Carroll, Native Minister. In almost every instance the results have been either disappointing to the Ministry, or the electors have made emphatic protest against an iniquitious measnre. From one end of New Zealand to the other this protest against the Second Ballot Act will be heard. The measure is a ridiculous attempt to adapt the condition? of the Dominion, with ltj wide and scattered electorates and scanty population, to those obtaining in the almost congested districts of Germany and France, where the second ballot principle is in force.