THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY,DECEMBER 28, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2178, 28 December 1875, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY,DECEMBER 28, 1875.

The nomination of candidates to represent the Thames district in the new parliament takes place to-morrow. There are several candidates " out;" to-morrow will probably see more. During the last few days it has been frequently remarked that if the Thames had obtained the full share of representation claimed for it, a difficulty would have arisen in finding suitable men. We are inclinedtb endorse this opinion, for here we are on the eve of nomination, and only one candidate has faced the electors to explain his political creed. This is not as it should be, and we can understand the feeling of dissatisfaction —amounting almost to disgust—felt by many electors at the reticence or cowardice of the gentlemen seeking to be elected. It will be seen from a notice in our advertising columns that Mr J. E. Macdonald has retired from the contest, the reason of his adopting such a course being that fiis private business and public duties will occupy ao much of his time that to undertake further public duties would require sacrifices he is not at present prepared to undertake. The preliminaries to' this coming election have been the least satisfactory of any ever known in connection with matters political at the Thames. Electors will certainly have time between nomination and polling day to examine into the merits and professions of the different candidates. Let them do this carefully and searchingly, for the present is a most critical period in the colony's history.

One of the speakers at the Foresters' soiree last evening made rather a sweeping charge against the Government. He asserted that every obstacle was thrown in the way of Friendly Societies for the purpose of furthering the Government scheme of Life Insurance, a scheme got up entirely for the purpose of providing billets for a number of persons who could not obtain a living at anything else. What society, we might ask, could guarantee £500 or £1000 to be paid on the death of an individual, for the same small sum charged by the Government? The speaker evidently knows little of the working or principles of life assurance, and of the Government scheme in particular, under which inducements have been offered to friendly societies never attempted by any private or public company, by establishing what is known as the " Industrial Branch " by which life assurance policies can be effected by weekly payments.

It has been determined that Sir George Grey shall contest the Thames district for the Assembly. Sir George has already been elected for City West, and therefore he has no good reason to seek election at the Thames. Electors remember this ! Sir George does not appear to have been induced to seek election at your hands in answer to the requisition presented to him nearly a month ago ; nor is it because he cannot find a seat elsewhere. No; certain Auckland gentlemen have entreated Sir George to stand for the Thames that they may elect some nominee of their own to City West. We hare on previous occasions fully discussed the question of Sir George Grey's candidature for the Thames: the position we have assumed we see no reason to retire from. We wish the electors to remember one or two things. If Sir George Grey be elected for the Thames the action

of the Thames people will be stultified. ! If Sir George Grey be elected the additional representative granted to us will go to benefit Auckland—not the Thames. If Sir George be elected the Thames constituency will be a laughing stock for the rest of the colony. The public utterances of the Thames people have been in favor of Abolition of Provinces and having the management of their own affairs. If Sir George Grey be elected it will be the most convincing proof that could be adduced that we do not understand the one, and that we are unfitted for the other. Let no personal feelings for Sir George Grey influence the electors. The Auckland people are jealous of the Thames, and they want to keep it in the background. Hence they would force a candidate or candidates upon the Thames people. Let the electors resist this unhenrd of impertinence, and return men pledged to support a policy which a large majority of the population approve.