THE "DISTURBING ELEMENT."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5714, 6 November 1896, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE "DISTURBING ELEMENT."

The Nelson Star, noticing the unsatisfactory position of electoral affairs in Christchurch, says : — " It appears clear that the contest in that city will resolve itself into a fight, not between the Government and tho Opposition, but" between the Prohibitionists and those who opposo their extravagant notions. It is really pitiable to contemplate the fact that owing to the cranky clamour of an insignificant minority for an impossible state of things, the whole trend of public thought in an important constituency, and probably, too, in many others, should be thus jerked out of its proper groove, and the more important issues of public policy cast aside for the time, in order that the secondary issue should be emphatically dealt with. If the result of the battle on that question could be looked upon as anything approaching finality, the time and opportunity wasted over it would not be altogether lost, but no such desirable consummation can be hoped for. It is a foregone conclusion that the cold water party will get a decisive beating ; but that will only have the effect of inducing them to 3till further pursue their senseless agitation, and to pose as martyrs."