flamboyance of the gasconading now in progress, and in its reports of
these bursts of oratory the 'Noonoon Advertiser' gave further evidence
of its broad-minded liberality.

"Mrs Gas Ranter," it reported, "addressed a packed meeting in the
Citizens' Hall last night, and proved herself the best public speaker
who has been heard in Noonoon during the present campaign," &c. It
recognised worth, and gamely gave the palm to the deserving,
irrespective of party or sex,--did not so much as insert the narrow
quibble that she was the best for a woman.

Among other incidents, the lady canvassers called at Clay's and
received a piece of grandma's mind.

"Thanks; I don't want no one to tell me how to vote. I've rared two or
three families and gave a hand with more, and have intelligence the
same as others, and at my time of my life don't want no one to tell me
my business. I reckon I could tell a good many others how to vote."

The pity of it was that it was immaterial how any electors cast their
vote. Neither party had a sensible grip of affairs, and besides, love
of country in a patriotic way is not a trait engendered in
Australians. In politics, as in private life, all is selfishness. The
city people thought only of building a greater Sydney, the residents
of Noonoon and other little towns had mind for nothing but their own
small centre,--all seeing no farther than their noses, or that what
directly benefited their little want might not be good for the country
at large, and that legislature must, to be successful, better the
living conditions of the masses, not merely of one class or section.
Then city men, unacquainted with the practical working of the land,
could not possibly handle the land question effectively, and,
moreover, a man might understand how to manage the coastal district
and remain at sea regarding the great areas west of the watershed.

Another big mistake lay in over representation of the city and the
under representation of the man on the land. The producer should be
the first care, and while he is woefully disregarded and
ill-considered a country cannot thrive. The reason of this state of
affairs was the division of electorates on a population basis. This
meant that a city electorate covered a very small area, and that
practically all its wants were attended by the municipality, so that
the city member had leisure to ply the trade of merchant, doctor, or
barrister within a few minutes of the house of par