Lancings

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 125, 22 November 1902, Page 8

Lancings

Here sha.ll the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbnbed by gam ; Here patriot Tiulh hei glorious precepts draw, Pledged to Religion, Liberty, and Law."

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1902.

N3WTOWN has no lack of suitors. Ample choice, in fact, for a roving faney — two Government sup-port-eirs, two Opposition candidates, and one of Independent views. And all of

them men of standing in the community, identified with its interests, and enjoying public confidence. Without the slightest disparagement to the other candidates, we think Messrs. C. M. Luke and W. Barber possess the strongest claims. They have botlh of them, through long association witih the City Council, familiarised themselves with local politics, and are prominently identified with the industrial institutions of the place. • • • Mr. Luke made a very excellent mayor, va a ready and persuasive speakei, and his politics are Liberal. Mr. Barber is a man of wide activity. His record on the City Council, of which he is stall a foremost member, is a long and honourable one, and, in a variety of other ways, the public enjoys the advantage of his time and services. He also, like Mr. Luke, is an out-an-out Liberal and a 1 whole-hearted supporter of the Government. Unless Newtown is dissatisfied with the present progressive state of things, and is anxious for a course of experiments in political rulers, 11 will make up its mind between Mr. Luke and Mr. Barber. « • • Dr. Chappie is a man of ripe talents, cultaired mind, and most estimable character. But, his political creed is rather curious. He admires and suppoirts the legislation of the present Government, but he has no terms of condemnation strong enough for its administration. To his eyes, it is all that is bad. And the blame for that he lays entirely at the door of Mr. CVddon. Therefore, if King Dick can only be pitched overboard, Dr Chappie will gladly support a reconstructed Liberal Ministry, with, say, Sir Joseph Ward as its head. Sir Joseph Ward is not likely to fall m with Dr. Chappie's wishes. The Seddon Administration stands or falls together. It is. now on its trial. Newtown has a voice in settling the question. Does it think so hardly of King Dick as Dr. Chappie does? We hae oor doots — very strong ones, too. • * ♦ As for the Hon. T. W. Hislop ard Mr. W. G. Tustin, they are both sibraight-out Opposition candidates, who want to bundle the Government neck and crop out of office, with the least possible shrift. Mr. Hislop has been out of politics and public life for the last twelve years. He was a member of the Atkinson Cabinet, and is not, therefore, likely to be found paying compliments to the present Government. Since he quitted the Parliamentary arena, he has become a citizen of Wellington, and is a partner in one of its leading legal firms. He is an able man, of enlightened views, but with strong political antipathies. And one of the strongest is his antipathy to the present Government. This is Mr. Hislop's second attempt to reenter Parliamentary life since the country sent his Ministry to the right-about. Mr. Tustin is a younger, more ardent, and more volatile spirit. He dispenses with committees, and offers himself to the electors in perfect trust. His programme is uncompromising Opposition — 'and he means it. • • • What was the matter with Mr. T. M. Wilford and the Hutt seat that Mr. Fred. Pirana should rush forward in. such frantic haste to push him out. of it? After all the formal and affecting leavetaking, too, of Politics, Palmerston, and Party ' Really, it quite takes one's breath away. However, Mr. Pirani is quite- free to change his mind as often as hf likes, and the Hutt seat is open for competition. But, are the electors likely to do better for themselves by pasßing Mr. Wilford out? Hardly. He lives in their midst, is in constant touch a*nd association with them, and has been the zealous advocate of their interests m Parliament. • • • In some quarters it has been persistently alleged he is not always in his place in the House 1 . The best work, however, is not done by sitting constantly in the House. The solid work of a representative is on the committees, and Mr. Wilford has done yeoman service there. In the House, too, (Continued on page 16.)