The Star. MONDAY, JULY 22, 1901. LAST WEEK'S ELECTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7156, 22 July 1901, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, JULY 22, 1901. LAST WEEK'S ELECTIONS.

The results of the two by-elections for the House of Representatives decided last week indicate that the present Government's hold on the country is as firm as ever. The Christchurchi contest, it is true, resulted in the victory of a candidate who is only pledged to give a qualified support to Mr Seddon, and who in the past has been an extremely candid friend oi the Cabinet, while it ended in- th» defeat of two gentlemen whose views are closely identified "with, those of Mr Seddon and his" colleagues. At the same time it must be born* in mmd 1 , firstly, that Mr Smith is a Liberal, and, as such, is bound to be found more often* on the side of . the present Government than on the Opposition benches, and, secondly, that of the total' number of votes cast on Thursday a large preponderance was recorded in lavour of the Etra-ight-out Government supporters. Therefore there was notJnng in the election which i 9 calculated to disturb the impression that Ghristchurah is as democratic and" Liberal an electorate aa ever it was, and 1 that it remains loyal to the present Government. The result of the election for Patea was an even more emphatic testimony to tlba popularity of the Seddon Government* For many years the constituency 'has returned an Oppositionist, and even at the last general election, when Mr Seddon. returned to Wellington with a larger majority than ever, Patea still remained) faithful to Mr Hutchison. It is conceivable, of course, that if Mr Hutchison, had contested last week's election he would 'have been re-turned, but that, after all, is a mere mattes; of speculation. What remains an 'indisputable faot is that the constituency which for many yeaTS past 'has been represented by on© of the bitterest and most uncompromising opponents of the present Government, has now elected a gentleman who stood under the patronage of the Premier. The change is remarkable, and constitutes another proof of the growing faitih. of the country in the progressive legislation and self-refia«it policy of Mr Seddon and Oms followers.