THE CANDIDATES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 243, 20 August 1879, Page 2

THE CANDIDATES.

To the Editor of the Wairabapa jjaily,

Sir,—l was glad indeed to notice the tone adopted in your leader, of Saturday last, in reference to the addresses of the candidates for parliamentary honors. Knowing that your columns are open for expression of any shade of opinion, I desire to offer a few remarks on the published addresses, and also to refer to the past actions of some of those now seeking election.

Mr Beetham's principal claim for reelection rests upon the fact that he has been a faithful and hardworking representative of the district for the past three years, There are now in the Wairarapa, wlio, if they have any regard for truth, will deny this. He is probably not a man wlw will ever -shine as a member of a Ministry, but he is also not one who will descend to manceuvering or petty trick, or sell the interests of his constituency for a Government billet, His address is a manly and outspoken one, and eminently characteristic of the man. This district lias much to thank him for, and he is held in such general esteem that there is little doubt he will be again returned. He has the advantage of also being a member of the Opposition, which fact if I am any judge of popular feeling will weigh heavily in his favor. Mr Bunny's address is one of those milk: and water affairs which may contain a deal of measuring or none at all, He is a Grey candidate, pure and simple, and he bases his claim upon that fact together with the reason that lie has, unfortunately, represented the district for a number of years; Were it possible to erase, say the last five years, from our memory Mr Bunny would have the strongest chance of election of _ any yet before the public. It is not possible to do so, however, and as a matter of fact, his last shortcoming was too glaring, and too recent to be quietly passed over. No elector will want reminding of the pitiful figure their representative cut in the matter, of the comniissionersliip of annuities he coveted to obtain. Had he succeeded in getting that nice little appointment, his constituency might have done the best they could so far as he was concerned; and with this fact so. prominently before us, he is certainly venturesome to again crave cur suffrage. He lias become an emblem of inconstancy to us, and we have no faith in him. If he is again elected, no term will be too strong for the folly of the electors. A single instance will show the estimated value of his political promises. It is well known that for some time past Mr Beetham had been endeavoring to get the immigrant cottages in the township handed to the Borough as an endowment. He was unsuccessful in his object, for the simple reason that they were reserved as a good trump card for Mr Bunny to play. At last meeting of the Council, therefore, a telegram was received from Mr Bunny to the effect that, the cottages would be handed over to the corporation. Now, had this- message come from Mr Beetham the matter would have been accepted as settled, and no doubts raised. But after sundry incredulous remarks one member was wise enough to suggest that the Town Clerk be instructed to take every care of that telegram, as it might be wanted at a future day. And this may be taken as a pretty accurate indication of the general feeling. Mr Carter's appeal was a carefully guarded one, and there are many loopholes for escape if he has occasion to use them. He stands, however, the poorest chance of election. The old settlers of course remember him, some say too well; but a generation has grown up since lie left us, which knows him not, The only merit in his address is that it sir.'ws him to be a perfect master of sarcasm. When it is remembered that he is running in connection with the other Grey candidate, what could be finer for instance, than the concluding paragraph where he asks the electors to understand that he lias no personal object to serve, that he desires no paid office from any Government, and that he is not making a trade of politics, which ho deeplyregrets to see has become the bane of New Zealand. There is irony in this, bitter and keen, and if I was his colleague I should certainly take exception to it. Mr Pharaxyn has been a number of times before the electors, and it is to be regretted that he has not received more encouraging treatment. His views, as stated in the address, are broad and comprehensive, and leave little to be desired. His outspoken frankness and indipendence of character are doubtless tho only things that stand in his way. They ought, indeed, to be the very qualifications that would ensure him a seat, but in this degenerate age the post of honor more often is gained by the cunning tactician than by the honest man. Be that as it may, if the electorate is wise it will return Messrs Beetham and Pharazyn as its choice, and I think that will be the verdict so far as the northern Wairarapa is concerned at any rate, Of Mr Carter they know little or nothing,and are notpossessed of a turning desire to make his acquaintance, and of Mr Bunny they know quite sufficient. There may yet, of course, be other candidates in the field, but of those already there, two belong to the party whose experiment in legislation has been attended with disastrous fail are, and who moreover have resorted to all kinds of devices and contemptible tricks to continue in the exercise of power, and this alone should be sufficient to operate for their defeat even were there not othor potent reasons, lam, &c, S.P.Q.R,