THE WAITAKI SEAT.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12842, 27 November 1905, Page 3

THE WAITAKI SEAT.

To the Editor of the "Timarn Herald." Sir, —With no disrespect to "No Change" I must say that.he, reqiinda me of an earth worm; cut off" his head and tail and he still manages to -wriggle. He says now, that the statement. -thalr Sir W. J. .Steward is not pledged to,-the present Government is untruthful. Tlfe .trouble is that "N.C." judges Sir his past actions which certainly ralie Jits, present- assumed IMependence. In Sir William's reply ; to Mr rDash be ;saySt-f-| "I am not T pledged to; .support the pre ;< •. =,«n£gr .all and any eircumstances "; '■ also "j. ■< hold myse'f freie voice 'and vote, from any departure'' from these; -principles, and to revise, when; necessary, the personnel of the administration." In his platform speeches he also' states. thafc the present Government needs " shying up." The mere fact that during his whole Parliamentary life, he has been a subservient follower of his leaders, is no contradiction to xny statement, that he has turned his back on the present Ministry. I would remind "A Liberal" that Sir William at 1 the last- election polled less than a ratio of • 10 to Mr Campbell's 7 votes. This time ■he has four candidates against him and it will' be impossible for him to win by » large majority. However galling it may ;be to ".A Liberal" it is-quite evident that Sir j William 'lias not' what " our sporting ffriends would call an even money chance; the bdds are against him and I still mainftaia that Sir William J. Steward should take his seat in the Council. I am, etc., YOUNG COLONIAL. Sir.—l would respectivelv crave space in yoar widely read journal -to emphasise

the opinion expressed by " Elector" in your issue of yesterday. The position in which the Opposition find themselves with regard to the candidates for the electorate is neither creditable to the management of the party nor is it conducive to the best interests of the country. At a time; when a united front should be exhibited by all those who are in arms against the injustice and laxity to use no harsher terms—of the : present administration, we find a good chance' of routing our opponents almost wholly thrown ■by the division of what shou'.d undoubtedly be -a solid vote. -- There, can be no question whatever that it- is the duty of either Mr Masiin or Mr Nichol, : to retire from tjie contest, r Which shall .it. be* .That is the question.- : Mr Niehol-vis a young man of pleasing' address and unassuming manners. But can unvote. say, that these are weapons of sufficient weight to deal heavy blows in an election campaign and to form a public opinion strong enough to carry a political candidate to a well won victory? I trow not. If Mr Niehol is really anxious to serve his country why not serve his apprenticeship to public life as- many a better man before him has done? He will not then find it necessary to apologise for his ignorance of the social problems which aro agitating the minds of public men and demanding thoroughly disciplined minds for their solution. Mr Masiin, on the other hand, has, as you are apparently reluctantly compelled to admit, a thorough grasp of the country's needs and has impressed his audiences throughout the electorate with the fulness of his knowledge, his sagacity and his evident sincerity. Comparisons are odious; but there are situations which compel the mind to make ! them even .though prudence ■ dictate, that it may be better not- to give them tongue. What any sensible Oppositionist may have against MrMaslin's politics I am wholly at a loss to "understand. And although it is a commonplace still it needs constant reiteration; it is with politics alone we have, in this contest, to deal. The personal factor ought not to enter into the equation at all. You hint that Mr INlchoVs personal popularity is greater than Mr Maslin's. That is wholly a matter of opinion. I respectfully beg to enter a plea of " not proven"; and I hold no brief for the other sicle. If no arrangement can possibly be made for the retirement of Mr Nichol I would ask all those who have the best interests of Waitaki at heart ans needless to say I consider those interests bound Tip in the policy of the- Opposition—to vote for-Mr Masiin, whose chances of winning are. daily growing, stronger with all those electors who liave had the good fortune to come in contact with him. I ami ete., RUS.