The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1896. HAWERA ELECTORATE.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 212, 15 September 1896, Page 2

The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1896. HAWERA ELECTORATE.

We regret very much to see the split in the opposition ranks in the Hawera electorate. As soon as it was made known that there was to be a new electorate formed Mr McGuire notified his intention of contesting it. All the associations of the Egmont electorate are centred rouud Hawera. It was the centre of the contest when Sir Harry Atkinson represented the electorate, and when the increase "of population caused the division of the district into two seats it was only natural that Mr McGuire should elect to stand for that part of it with which his earliest associations and battles were most nearly connected. That Mr McGuire is now loyally accepted by the Opposition is show by Mr Duthie's flattering reference to him when in Hawera, and those who desire to see the government of the country placed in the hands of those who will guard its interests and depose the present Government from power should run no risk of causing a split in the Opposition strength, which may result in the return of a Government nominee. Mr Robbins is under the wing of the Prohibitionists, and is being run by them, but wheu he was before the electors before he did not go a bit further in promising to carry out their wishes aud desires than Mr McGuire has always done in his voting whenever the subject has been brought up. He holds it to be a social question which should be left to the people, and we do not suppose Mr Robbins will have the pluck to come out and say that he is prepared to force any legislation down the throats of the people whether they like it or not. Apart from Prohibition, we do not know of auy qualifications for public life which Mr Robbins possesses that would cause the electors of Hawera to withdraw their support from Mr McGuire,. who has been tried, and give it to him. Whilst the preseut Government is in power the Prohibitionists feel quite certain that their ideas have no chance of getting fair play, and consequently we cannot understand their action in causing division, and thus giving a chance to a Government supporter securing the seat. If the contest remains between the two then we have no doubt about the result, as though the Prohibition movement is steadily consolidating it has not yet attained maturity, and on general grounds there is no one in it but McGuire.