THE COMING ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 29, 13 November 1896, Page 29

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR NEW ZEALAND TABLET. Sir. — As the coming elections are drawing nigh I think it is near time the Tablet came out and gave its readers some idea as to how the Catholic people are going to vote. As far as I can see there are very few of the candidates who are favouring our claims. I suppose they think the Catholic voters (and they are to a great extent) are led away by the Liberal Socialism of the present day and religion is cast to the winds. I think the Catholic voters should unite in one body and vote solid, then candidates will see they are a power in the land ; but so long as we get what they call Liberal or labour candidates, who know perfectly well that the Catholic vote is always as a rule on their side, they will never support the Catholic claims, fearing they might lose a few votes on the other side. My idea is always to support a candidate, be he Conservative or Liberal, who has the manhood to proclaim his opinions that he will support our claims. At the same time I don't approve of supporting a bogus candidate put up purposely to catch the Catholic vote when they know full well he has no chance ; rather should we punish one of the others. And now as regards districts where none of the candidates support our claims. I think your valuable paper has told us before that we should do our best to put out the sitting Member and show him we are a power to be dealt with. — I am, etc.. Observer.