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Southland Times, Issue 3290, 6 January 1879, Page 2

The. nomination for the Mataura seat in the House' of Representatives takes place to-day, and we believe that tlie contest AA r ill lie between the candidates already declared, Messrs Shanks and Kinross. The moderate party of Southland at the outset ! meditated bringing ; forward Mr Thomas Denniston, but, as if was Avell kn own that Mr Kinross' candidature Avould be vigorously prosecuted by the ultra Grey party, whilst the tone of Mr Shanks' address Avas so far moderate as to, in a measure, meet the vieAvs of the moderate party, it was ? deemed ''inexpedient to risk the election by splitting votes, ahd -. so promote the return of Mr Kinross, wliich could only be regarded as a very grave calamity. Hence the requisition to Mr Denniston, of which Aye made mention last week, Avas not presented to him. "VVe must say that a Avorse man might' have been selected, and Aye sincerely regret that the condition of politics here has .necessitated the middle course Aye have indicated. Mr Shanks is an excellent man in his Avay no doubt ; he certainly, if his address is to be; credited, is not extreme in his politics, but for all that he is not the man that we should have chosen for the representation of so important a constituency as that of Mataura and the suburban boroughs. Hoavever, as fhe choice so far lies between the two candidates mentioned, Aye have no hesitation in supporting Mr Shanks, hoping that when the general -election that must soon ensue takes place, representatives more in keeping Avith the vieAvs of the large party -of. the moderate politicians of Southland Avill come forward to contest eveiy seat in the district.