Notes

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 51, 19 December 1901, Page 18

Notes

Electioneering Tactics. The Lyttelton Times has been hitting out with refreshing straightness and vigor at the attempts being made by two candidates in the Caversham electorate to score politically by raising the denominational ppectre and exhibiting it, with its horns and tail and cloven hoof, to the accompaniment of a storm of shrieking rhodomontade. ' The religions issue,' says our Christcharch contemporary, ' must not be wantonly and recklessly obtruded, for the mere purpose of electioneering . Mr. Earnshaw may be sincere in his belief regarding the preference which he alleges ; but his mere belief does not justify him in making positive assertions and in assuming that to be fact what may only be his own vain imagining. The onus is upon him of proving his case. If he fail to do so, he must stand condemned.' Jn another issue the same paper remarks : ' " At the proper time and place, " he (Mr. Earnshaw) is prepared to substantiate his charges, he says ; bnt the proper time is now, and the proper place is the Caversham electorate. If he is convinced that the Departments are being stuffed with Roman Catholics, it should be easy enough for him to state the specific inetances on which he bases his conclusions, and give the Ministers an opportunity of rf plying before polling day.' # 'As things are,' says another issue of the Bame paper, 'dispassionate people can only conclude that he haa raised the cry of "Rome rale" because he thinks it will gain him votes from the "true blues" of Caversham electorate. In no other part of the Colony would a political candidate dare to raise such an issue ; his candidature would be damned at the outset by tactics such as those of Mr. Earnshaw. Mr. Earnshaw, even if he be actuated by zeal for efficiency, has gone the wrong way to work. His first duty is to prove that the public service is suffering from malpraotice ; next, he must prove the existence of the specific malpractice alleged ; then, and only then, would he be justified in making public accusations. Until he puts himself right, he cannot be acquittr I of attempting to work upon the basest prejudices of mankind, and of trying to stir np animosities akin to those which, in other lands, have led to Jewbaiting and other forms of persecution. No man should be allowed to enter public life in this country whose actions place him in that category.'

the most elaborate precautions to guard against everything in the shape of religious partiality (in the matter of pablio appointments). Sir Joseph Ward, probably with the object of saving himself from the possibility of reproach on this score, goes to the length of leaving all nominations to all his departments at the hands of the members for the district immediately affected. We do not entirely approve of his method, bat it certainly disarms the criticism of some of his narrow-minded opponents. When a cadet is required he informs the member* ia turn of the fact, and asks them to recommend a candidate for the position. Tha members on both sides of the House are treated in the same way, and if they care to take the responsibility they may all have a voioe in manning the public service.'