THE COMING ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 328, 5 November 1896, Page 13

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

We have repeatedly advised the Trade to organise, in order to be prepared to meet any emergency which may arise at the coming elections calculated to adversely affect the interest of their business, and. we are pleased to learn that some organisation has been effected, and we sincerely hope it will result in united and concerted action. It may be well for the Trade to fully consider the character of the man they propose to support in the respective districts, as in our opinion it will not be conducive to the best interest of the liquor business, either wholesale or retail, to support a candidate whose only qualification for a high and responsible position is a positive pledge to support an absolute anti-prohi-bition, bare majority party. At the same time this must be a “shiboleth” in his policy and the main plank in his platform. What we we mean is that while the foregoing should be a sine qua. non care should be taken to secure men who can give free and lucid expression to their opinions on other questions, and who cannot, therefore, be open to the charge of being one-idea men. We are pleased to learn that some pamphlets have been issued, containing among other matter the excellent letters written by the Rev. Wm Beatty, and we are certain that the publication of the rev. gentleman’s letters in this form will be conducive of much good, coming, as they do, from a gentleman of high ecclesiastical knowledge, a logician of the first order, and a clergyman who has always practised the true temperance which he has so successfully advocated, both in the pulpit and in the Press of this colony. It is such documents as those indicated that, after thoughtful perusal, leave an impression on the mind as much in contrast with the foamy vapouring of the specific teetotal mountebank as is the froth of secondclass gingerbeer to the sparkling chrystal of the finest, champagne. It may be too late to employ a lecturer to tour the country, and at this particular juncture it may be impolitic to do so in accordance with the old proverb which declares “ imitation to be the sincerest flattery,” and it may be unwise at this time—the eye of an election —to send any one in the interest of the Trade on the track of the -low-down agitators on the other side ; but we do repeat our former statements, viz., that it will pav the Trade at no distant date to employ an honest, capable man to address public meetings all over the colony, advocating principles in contradistinction to those who advocate the destruction of freedom, and who professedly desire to see liberty forced by a ruthless hand from a great British colony. If proof were wanting to show that the employment of such a man is required we need only refer to what took place at a recent date in Wanganui, when Mr W. W. Collins, . spoke in reply to the Rev. L. M. Isitt. Mr .Isitt had delivered a series of highly inflammatory addresses in Wanganui to crowded meetings. His party was jubilant over the result. The local paper supporting prohibition was absolutely prodigal in its fulsome adulation of the rev. lecturer and his heaven-born oratory. The coldwater party all over the colony declared that Wanganui had been carried by storm, and would surrender at discretion when the election came. Mr Collins

bearded the lion in his den, smote the Philistines hip and thigh with the sword of irresistible logic, and the day after the delivery of his address all but the extreme fanatics forgot that such a man as the Rev. Mr Isitt had flashed, like a meteor of changing brilliancy, over the waters of the beautiful Wanganui river. We again congratulate the Trade on having in some degree organised. We hope they will now work consistently and thoroughly, and that none but men of high character will be employed either as agents, canvassers, or in any other way in the coming election, and no matter what may be said by the prohibitionist we sincerely trust a mandate will be issued, notifying to all engaged that liberty shall be manifested, courtesy exemplified, and an example set to all extremists that they may copy with advantage. We think there is no need to add to the foregoing remarks. That one of the greatest dangers to the trade in the coming election is the carrying of the vote for reduction, and every right-think-ing elector must know that a reduction of licensed houses will not lessen drinking. The only effect would be to ruin one man, and in many cases to give another man a large premium.