The Star. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1887. THE ELECTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6038, 21 September 1887, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1887. THE ELECTIONS.

Fob tsree long months the Colony has been in the throes of an election contest. The nominations are at last over, and the candidates are all before the public. The three months are now reduced to three clear days. On Monday next the Ballot will decide all issues, and the greatquestion whether the Stout- Vogel Ministry will remain in, or have to turn out, will ba finally settled. On that question, Canterbury will have a great influence. If the electors of this Provincial district pull together, and give anything like a united support to the Government, then in all probability it will have a good working majority. We have go often and so fully explained the strong claims the Government have on the electors of Canterbury, that it would be almost waste of time at this period to go over the same ground again.

The ma-jority of electors in almost every Canterbury constituency is in favour of the . Ministerial candidate. What vre wish now to impress most forcibly . on their minds, is the necessity for every member of the majority, at whatever sacrifice of comfort or convenience, to give his vote at the poll. It would b& the greatest possible mistake to underrate the strength of the Opposition. The "Political Reform Association, though, it has failed most dismally in getting good candidates for the various districts, has managed in every case to bring forward some sort of representative. To put these men in, they will strain, every nerve, and try every dodge, without scruple, and withoutregard to cost. In its ranks the Association represents money and 'electioneering experience Arid everything that money and experience can do will he done on Monday next, to secure the election of the Opposition candidates.

Therefore, as the working men hope to win the elections for the Government, they muefc make up their minds in every case to go to the poll and record their votes. Above all, they must not play into tha hands of the Atkinson party by dividing theii support "between two or more Ministerial candidates where 6uch exist. . Whatevei may he their personal feelings in favoui of this or that candidate, it is their duty to put these on one side, and vote for tha strongest man in order not to let the Opposition memher slip in. Thus, in Christchurch South, where Mr Perceval is tha strongest man, it is worse than useless foi the elector -who goes for the StoutYogel Government to vote for 3Ti Ayers, because it is clear that U half the Government vote goes tc Perceval and half to Ayers, then the block vote of the Opposition will put in Thomson, and the seat will thus he lost. Again a Linwood, where Mr Loughrey haß the best chance, if the Government vote' is divided between Loughrey and Plesher, the block vote of the Opposition will put Eeese in, and Linwood will be lost. The Ministerial electors of those districts must therefore see how necessary it is for them to lay aside all personal feeling, and vote as ona man for Perceval and Loughrey.