THE AUCKLAND ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10422, 26 July 1895, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND ELECTION.

(Pep. United Press -Association.) Auckland, Jury-25, The Premier telegraphed the following message of congratulations from himself and colleagues upon the result of-tfce'election:— " I heartily and sincerely congratulate; the Liberals of Auckland on the splendid victory. The result of the election should prove to the Labour and Liberal party that in unity there is strength, and th?.t as long a 4 this, continues the rights of the people are safely guarded. Sslf I and colleagues tender to all friends our sincere I thanks for the great services rendered."'

-Mr I.' Thompson leaves for 'Wellington on Monday to undertake his parliamentary dntie3.

(FBOSJ OUB OWN COBBIBPOinHajT.,) Auckland, Jrfy 25. The Herald says:—"Sir Monk, although.:: - man of considerable ability and a consistent and straightforward politician, has. never been popular, especially among tha working.classes, who are cow so powerful at all elections ia large cities. He has not bsen a resident in Auckland for some years, and has, not, a large acquaintance amoagst oar citizens. • -Still it muss be acknowledged he has fought the battle with spirit, courage, and ability, and he has no reason to repent or to. feel ashamed of any incident that has occurred in it. Ministers certainly strained every Bprve to make : matters smooth for their candidate. It is evident that the bulk of the Labour p»irty voted for Mr Thompson, and thus increased his majority. It was understood that the Temperance party was to go »6hd for Mr Monk, bat whether it did so or not is open to considerable doubt. It-is trua that the professions of both candidates on the liquor question were the- fame—that ie, both proposed to give the power of prohibition in a district to a three-fifths majority,— but there was an understanding with Mr Thompson,'and'it is certainly the case, that he had the full support of the iiqacr trade in all its departments. One remarkable feature in connection with tbe election is the large number of abstentions from voting.. We need not say that we ragret the icsolt ol the electioD, apart tjroin the personality of candidates and the different principles of which they were representatives. 'There must be tew impartial minds that; cannot observe that in.the House of Representatives constituted as it is, there is need of a strengthened Opposition. To the public in, general the sight of a, .Ministry bent as a rule on-extreme -measures without any of the ordinary parliamentary restraints being available, is not reassuring. Of couse scch a condition of' things sooner or later becomes its ovrn corrective, aisd possibly the absolute absence of any effective restraint will all the sooner conduce to that swing of the pendulum which seemß to be the inevitable outcome of extremes in political life."