THE New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1898. THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1354, 10 February 1898, Page 20

THE New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1898. THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN WELLINGTON.

It would appear, after all, that there is a very strong feeling prevalent in the Opposition ranks that Mr A. R. Atkinson has been rather harshly and unfairly dealt with by the leading men of the party, and there are even rumours that this action is regarded as a distinct breach of inasmuch as when he was induced to con. test the Suburbs seat against Mr C. Wilson he was promised—in the event of defeat—that he should have the first claim upon his party for any other vacancy that might occur. Rumour ill this®’case may be as lying a jade as she generally proves, blit that the air is full of it there would be no use denying. The expressions of opinion, too, at the meeting of the Southern Cross Society afford proof of some feeling of dissatisfaction at Mr Atkinson’s claims having been passed over. There was reference also to Mr Duthie’s strenuous opposition to woman’s suffrage. The more serious aspect, however, is to be found in the statement that Mr Duthie’s candidature will not be acceptable to a large section of the community, because he favours tb9 reading of the Bible in the primary schools of the colony. All other references to Mr Duthie might have been lightly' passed over ; but this lacter is a serious difficulty and it may prove an insurmountable barrier. Our evening contemporary, who may be regarded as one of the champions of our present educational system, has spoken with no uncertain sound on the question of the Bible in schools, and unless Mr Duthie publicly recants, it may go very hard with him where he would otherwise have claimed and obtained strong support. The Conservatives have, however, a very happy knack of forgetting their differences and of sinking them for the nonce, so that they may register a victory for their side, and in this they set an example that might well be followed by the Liberals. It was John Bright who said that the Liberals as a party had so many reforms to advocate, so much work to do, that they were to be found differing greatly as to the methods that should be employed but he significantly added that the Conservatives had one desire and that was to win—and thus retain place, pay and power.

At the present moment the name of the candidates on the Liberal and Labou r side is legion. As no decision is likely to be arrived at for some days at least, there is no necessity to criticise the gentlemen mentioned or to seriously consider their claims, lest it may be said there is a disposition on the part of anyone to engineer the position. Though, after all, it is a simple matter—if those on the Liberal side were to calmly discuss the question and act in a wise and generous spirit. That there are differences of opinion; that men who have fought a good fight for their principles have jiheir likes and dislikes, is most true; but thewholeposibionmaybe summed up in. a very few words. First of all, then, is there a real desire on the part of the workers and those who sympathise with them to come victorious out of ithe struggle? If so, then it is absolutely essential that all personal feeling should be eliminated, and that the claims of all the aspirants for political honours should be considered on broad | and reasonable grounds. The man is not yet created whose political life is not open to some objection; in whose public acts and utterances there is not something which has been a cause of offence at one period or another to some of the members of his party. Men will go on differing so long as the world lasts ; but it is as well to remember that there are few indeed who at some time or other have not had to make some sacrifice ; who have not had to suffer because of opinions which they have held, and honestly held, to be right and just. Let us at least give them credit for hoc esty of purpose and for the possession of the courage necessary to the holding and expression of those opinions. In the struggle which is apparently at hand, there are great and grave questions to be settled. These are not only of moment to one section of the community, but to all. If it is sought to fight the matter out on narrow lines and men’s claims to distinction and honour at the hands of their fellows are to be set aside on merely personal grounds, it will lead to that which is most undesirable in the political life of the country, and will have the effect of deterring the best men in the community from offering their services to the colony. We have thought it well to place these aspects of the general question before the people, that there may be I brought to the discussion and settlement

1 of this particular contest Souiethittg like calmness o£ reason and soiindneSs of judgiffent. We desire to see the plainest of plain issues submitted to the electors by the opposing candidates; aUd this certainly cannot be done if there is to be introduced into the campaign any of the narrow prejudices which have too often disfigured political contests in the past. It is clear that not only the Government itself, but the policy which it has laid down will be upon its trial. From the people the verdict must come. If that verdict is to be a just one, fearlessly pronounced, there must he submitted to the people - who are the jury in this matter—clearly and fairly the evidence of both sides. The Conservatives have chosen their advocate. They have prevailed upon an admittedly strong man. Will the Liberal and Labour Party be equally wise ? . „