Sweetening the Constituencies.

Two glaring instances of interference by the Executive occur in the electorate of Mount Ida, represented by Mr. A. L. Herdman, who is a strong and fearless critic of Mr. Seddon. The Premier, in response to a deputation in the Mount Ida electorate regarding the construction of a dam at Hill's Creek, said:—"If the Government granted that £8,000 to be used for mining, and subsequently for irrigation, he would be told he had gone round the country bribing constituencies. The Miners' Association said, 'Give it to us,' and the member for the district said, 'Don't corrupt my constituency.' (Laughter). He believed himself that the Miners' Association was much nearer the mark—(applause)—and, with a surplus of £761,000, and with £871,000 of a credit balance in the Public Works Fund, he was inclined to recommend the Minister of Mines to give the miners' application favourable consideration. (Loud applause.) "(Hansard, 1905, Vol. II., p. 189).

When Mr. Herdman asked about this in the House the Minister of Mines replied that no promise of £8,000 had been given for the purpose. Mr. Herdman complained that the Premier had deliberately gone past him with this promise so as to curry favour with his constituents and to do him harm.

Again on the 19th of October Mr. Herdman complained that promises had been made to his constituents through the Government candidate with the view of injuring him before the electors. These two cases prove that there is much necessity for the object above set forth.

We trust that electors will refuse to permit themselves to be used in this way, and that they will sternly mark their disapproval of any interference by the Executive with the elections.