MR. WHITAKER'S DEFEAT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 892, 17 September 1879, Page 2

MR. WHITAKER'S DEFEAT.

Commenting on the defeat of Mr. Whltaker, the Post Bays : — The result of the Eden election is one greatly to be deplored m the public interest. The successful candidate, Mr. Tole, is m private life an amiable young gentleman, but, politically, he is a nonentity. He is simply a blind worshipper of Sir George Grey. He neither claims nor exercises any right of private judgment m politics any more than he does m religion. Sir George Grey is the political director of his conscience, and so entire m his devotion to Sir George that he has on more that one occasion formally disclaimed all ideas of daring to think for himself. It is this fanaticism which commends him to the Eden electors, who must indeed be actually ■ besotted m Greyism when they return a representative like Mr. Tole m preference to one like Mr. Whitaker. The choice was indeed "Hyperion to a Satjr.' J Mr. Whitaker has held a high and honorable position m the front rank of New Zealand politicianssince representative institutions were granted to the Colony. He is one of the oldest mem-i bers of the Legislature, has held office as Premier, and m more than one Ministry. He is an able debater, and a man whose political experience, great ability, high chracter, and moderation m his views made him perhaps the most useful member of the House. He was trusted and respected by all parties, and during last session was the mediator between parties, when, without his intervention, serious difficulties would certaiuly have arisen. This is the man who has been rejected to allow of the presence m Parliament of a mechanical recorder of Sir George Grey's will. W» regret that any constituency should have caused so serious a loss to the Colony at large as Eden has done.