A VICTORY FOR MODERATION

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 351, 15 April 1897, Page 11

A VICTORY FOR MODERATION

The greatest victory achieved for moderation at the last general election was obtained by Mr A. Morrison, the member for Caversham. In the last parliament Mr Morrison gave an independent support to the prohibition party in the House, and did so in conformity with an implied promise made at the hustings in the election of 1893. Mr Morrison is an artisan, and the workers of New Zealand are, in our opinion, justifiably proud to realise that they have such a man to represent them in the parliament of New Zealand. At the late election pressure was brought to bear on Mr Morrison re the question of prohibion, but his inherent manliness caused him to refuse to be tethered to the wheels of the coach driven by Isitt and Co., and as a result he was returned to the parliament of his adopted country by a majority so large as to place him in the front rank of the band of independent members in the present parliament, who have declared their intention to support temperance and toleration. We heartily congratulate Mr Morrison on the position he has attained, and we predict for him a useful and successful career in his official capacity. Outside of politics, there is no man in the House more popular than Mr Morrison. In the lobby and in the street his cordiality is proverbial, and his sympathies are broad enough to obtain recognition from all sections of the community. Mr Morrison’s actions in private and public life tend to reconcile the most virulent opponents of the labour representatives of this colony. As the result of his independence, this gentleman gained his seat by a majority of 1180 votes over the prohibition candidate, who polled 1700.