THE KAIAPOI ELECTION

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5993, 30 July 1887, Page 7

THE KAIAPOI ELECTION

Mr Moore's Peculiar

Position,

{From the Lyttelton Times.) Me Moore's friends must be aghast. He presents the curious spectacle of a Ministerialist candidate opposing a Minister. He avows the same principles that the Government Party profess ; he delivers speeches in favour of the Government programme ; he is sensible of the goodness of the Government record. In order that there shall be no mistake at all about his place in the political field, he publicly tells a questioner that there is no difference between him and the Government supporters. To make assurance doubly sure, he formally, promptly, and completely disavows all connection with that unfortunate Opposition organisation, the Political Eeform Association. Such is Mr Moore's peculiar position. Having undertaken to stand against Mr Richardson, he speaks entirely on the side of Mr Richardson. If his friends are not aghast at his "very able speech," they outght to be. He will no doubt tell them that he has come forward entirely at their request. They will naturally reply that they did not request him to do bo in the Ministerial interest. To that he has a choice of replies. He may tell his friends that lie has too little firmness to be able to say " No " to his friends, and too much conscience to be able to change his political opinions. If the prospect opened up by such a reply does not please him, he can say that he has come forward as a candidate not only for a seat in Parliament, but for the portfolio of Public Works. To this alternative he can give colour by quoting his remarks about the Railway Boards, and reminding the electors of his expressed readiness to give up all his local offices. " Gentlemen, I have neither grit nor gumption, but I can't lie ;" or, " Gentlemen, I like the Government well, and will like them a great deal better -when they enable one to exchange a lot of thankless offices for a well paid billet." In the delicate question of choice between these graceful sentiments, we cannot venture to assist Mr Moore. His unhappy dilemma is his own affair. But we cannot forbear asking why, with his political sentiments, he is opposing Mr Richardson, unless he wants to succeed him as Minister of Public Works. There is another suggestion which may strike some minds entirely bereft of their pristine innocence, and that is, that there is not a particle of truth in a single word of Mr Moore's speech, or his various asseverations and denials ; that he is a nominee of the " Reformers " in spite of everything ; that he only temporarily affects Ministerial sentiments in order to become a permanent member of the Opposition. These people may even liken poor Mr Moore to a wolf in sheep's clothing, or they may compare him to a dark horse, the property of an unscrupulous syndicate, managed by an unprincipled ring 1 , and surrounded by dishonest touts. Such characters and practices we, for our part, in consequence of a long and varied experience of politics and politicians, firmly believe to be quite unknown in the political world. Therefore we will only deplore the existence of so many suspicious, ill-natured people, and wish Mr Moore well out of the difficulty into which he has so unhappily fallen. At the same time, a strict regard for truth compels us to add that we cannot see how he is to escape from it. If he has neither grit nor gumption, he is not fit to represent the constituency ; if he only wants to be Minister of Public Works, the constituency cannot want him ; if he is an Oppositionist in Ministerial disguise, hypocrisy is not a qualification for Parliamentary honours.