The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1891.

Thames Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 6896, 1 June 1891, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1891.

■Rr »fc» Wellington Press of the 27th ult., Shich aSS o "and to-day, we notice that Se Ta Aroha seat is claiming a good deal of attention in political circlesin the Empire City. Our contemporary devotes an article to the rabjeet. which we republish, »8 it will doubtless be read with interest;— ♦ The question of by-elections is, apparently, not deemed as importaat eVitshoulibeißNe* Zealand. In the United Kio^om, these contests are fought pa a thoroughly organised system,

and on atrictly party lines. Conducted in this way, they afford excellent means for guaging the current of papular feeling as to the merits of the rival parties. Just now there is a capital opportnnity for doing this on the good old British plan in the case of Te Aroha seat, vacated by the invalidation of Mr Allen's election, owing to a stupid blunder that his committee made daring his absence. Mr Allen's committee, unfortunately, acted in such a manner as to disqualify him from again contesting the seat, though he was morally blameless, for, indeed, he was in England at the time of rhe election. Now, he was elected as a follower of Sir Harry Atkinson, and though Sir Harry has resigned from the leadership of the party, the party still exists, and its principles hare not changed. Hence, it would seem to be very evident that there mast be a majority of the electors in favor of the Opposition. Why do not the Opposition put forward a candidate ? One would imagine that they hare on their side a number of thoroughly capable men who would, at the call of duty, consent to stand for tho Te Aroha seat. The Gorernment have thrown down the gauntlet. They have publicly declared that they mean to contest every by-election, and they beast that they are sure of victory. This ought to, if anything could, arouse the Opposition from their lethargy. At present the only two candidates actually in the field for tho Te Aroha district are Sir Walter Buller and Colonel Fraser, the latter of whom was badly beaten by Mr Allen, the Atkin< son candidate, at the general election. Sir Walter Buller has the promise of Mr Allen's support (in the event, we presume, of the Opposition failing to run a suitable man), and lie has also received large promises of support from other sources. Both he and Colonel Fraser come forward on the Government ticket, but it is thought that all the members of the Ministry except Mr Seddon would much prefer Sir Walter to the Colonel. The latter, indeed, when last contesting the seat, threw the Bellanee party over, and declared that he would follow no leader but Mr Bryce, Thereupon Mr Bryce wrote declining the honor of standing as political godfather to Colonel Fraser. It has been said by a prominent member of the Ministerial party that the plain dealiDg " Honest John" shook bis would-be follower " like dirt from his political shoes." Colonel Fraser renounced Mr Ballanoe and all bis works, and hence it is not surprising that Mr Ballance should give preference to the candidature of the Colonel's rival, Sir Walter Buller. The latter also claims to be on excellent terms with Mr Bryce, who disavowed all sympathy with Colonel Fraser when the latter tried to sneak in under his mantle at the general election. Hence, it w^uld seem that if the contest is to bo between the two candidates who are standing as Gov ernment supporters, Sir Walter Buller is almost certain to win. But we think that it will display scandalous lack of pluck and organization oq the part of the Opposition if they allow the seat to go by do fault. They ought to put forward the very best available man of their parly, and support him with all the party's strength. They won the seat easily a short time ago. Why should they not do so again, if they fought for it like men ?"