MR GILBERT'S VOTE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 28 October 1925, Page 6

MR GILBERT'S VOTE

(To the Editor )

Sir, —I notice Mr Gilbert's reply to the question asked in my last letter and must thank him for so replying, i also note that he would vote with the extreme Labour Party, as if Contes so voted he (Mr Gilbert) would lie satisfied that such action would be both wise and patriotic. Evidently Mr Gilbert would make a very docile and obedient folInwer, and as such lie, if elected, would be, arid remain, merely an obscure and passive cipher of the parly. The representative desired by the Nelson pc,.pie is one with suHirienl independence, abd ity and livedoin from party shackles to hit out for Nelson’s rights ami just claims, not one who will climb down and obediently "come to- heel' at the will of the party whips. A fully pledg ed party man has absolutelv no chance whatever of insisting on a claim even though he knows it to be a just one, and lie moot certainly could not. “get things done” as promptly and fully "Y.s an unpledged member. We have seen t-lns amply proved during the past few years, during which time Nelson has been particularly well served. While .1 consider Mr l'(sites certainly the* most able leader at present in Parliament, inis just as liable as other folk to make mistakes, and it is impossible for anv one to pledge himself to vote for him under ail circumstances. without inetirring the risk of having to vote for what he knew to he a mistake. Pledging cannot be other than piv-jmlgim>/ l!v law, and rightly so. every jurvinan is compelled to swear that he, after healing all the evidence and argument for ami against, will give his decision willimit fear or favour, prejudice (pro-jud"--ment) or personal considerations, and for a Parliamentary candidate to pJed-e -himself to always vote in a certain direction irrespective of the rights and wrongs of the case, is just as absurd as .UW-ynmii previous to the case being m-srd. pledging himself to- vole “guiltv," merely because he had every confidence m I lie prosecuting counsel. I am etc “INTERESTED." ’’