AFTER THE ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 837, 22 March 1906, Page 23

AFTER THE ELECTIONS.

Although it was the wish of the leaders of tne no-iicense movement and those representing the I'rade .that no election should lake place in the city, yet we had an election forced upon us by three in-

dividuals, the claims of two of them to the honour of representing the electors on the Auckland Licensing Bench being to the general public somewhat ol a mystery. The candidature of Mr. Patterson, however a desirable member he may have been if elected, came as a surprise to many who considered that he would have recognised the fitness of the members composing the chosen ticket, and while lamenting the fact that he had not been chosen by’ the parties who are most interested in the election, he would not have - been one to help to force an election, with its trouble and expense, upon the electors. However,, no matter what motives or advice actuated his going to the poll is of no moment now, as he was with the rejected three, but one cannot help a passing feeling of pity that a man who has on previous occasions served the people well on the Licensing Bench, and in municipal affairs, and who is credited with more than an ordinary share of business acumen, should have thought it well to enter a contest in which the result had so few chances of being in his favour. In point of polling figures the next reject to claim attention is Mr. Wm. Richardson. His claims to be a representative of the people have, been silenced more than once, and in a manner which to most men would have been a very clear indication that New Zealand electors are not yet blind to the claims of substantial men, who have something more to place before men than exhibitions of frothy abuse. This candidate’s place, which for all practical purposes was at the bottom of the poll, reflects infinite credit on those who voted against him. The voters who voted for him have probably in their own reasoning some reason for so doing, but to the average voter these reasons are not discernible. The third reject, Mr. Bradl.y, requires little comment, beyond that we appear to have extraordinary rules and regulations in force, in the guidance of elections, whereby any man who so wishes can turn a serious matter into ridicule. It is clearly evident that the laws governing the candidature for members of contro'ling bodie are not sufficiently inquiring, or those relating to forfeiture of deposits strictly enforced. In this connection it has oeen stated that deposits from candidates at ’he latt elec ion were not insisted upon. If such is the case, this laxity needs special m-.c.-df.-at-'on at the hands of our Legislature at the earliest possible chance. If anything, the amount for forfeiture should be increased. Such change would go far to save us a repetition of some exhibitions that we have had during the last few years. To the parties who agreed that Messrs. Aickin, Cheal, Casey, Rosser and Rees were fit representatives on the Licensing Bench, the election of all these gentlemen must come as a cheerful recognition of their powers of discernment. With the exception of Mr. Rees, all the gentlemen named were members of the late Bench, so that their return to office must surely mean that their actions in the past have been appreciated by the electors. Mr. J. J. Craig, who for many years has been a member of the City Licensing Bench, found that owing to pressure of business he had to withdraw from the election, has been replaced by Mr. W. J. Rees, who was selected as a fit successor, and it is pleasing to find that this selection, made by the representatives of the no-license party and the Trade, has received endorsement of approval by the votes of the people.