Advice to Electors.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1789, 1 February 1886, Page 3

Advice to Electors.

The following letter from rim Arch bishops of Canterbury and Y-.ik, wus published in the London Times inline diateiy before the general election in the United Kingdom. In view of a genera, election in this colony, at an eatly date we counsel our readers to study it care fully An election is at hand in which many thousands of Englishmen will vote for the first time. We have reason to think that a few words of adviee from ns would be aoceptable to some. The votes now to be given will probably govern the Empire for some years to come, and wo are persuaded that many voters do not sufficiently realise their individual share in the solemn responsi bility of such governance. It is too often forgotten that upon these votes must necessarily depend in great measure the happiness and prosperity, not only of the home population only, but of the dependencies, amounting in all to more I ban 3,000,000 souls, of many creeds and various languages, and with wants not very perfectly realised among ns. This is a serious duty, and a heavy responsibility in the sight of God and man.

The duty and the responsibility are somewhat obscured by the way in which an election is usually conducted. Each rival candidate is tempted to declare that no good thing ever has proceeded, or could proceed, from the party which he opposes ; and to promise every form of prosperity, and the removal of every evil, if he be himself elected. We urge the peril of the temptation to which the voter is liable, to look exclusively to self interest and neglect the juster view. Weigh with caution all such ready promises, and require some explanation of the manner in which their fulfilment is to become possible. Instead of preferring the man of most promises, give your support to one whom you can trust fur his character and his work ; one who has shown an interest in the great social improvements which must largely occupy the next Parliament.