THE PLEBISCITE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 270, 28 June 1867, Page 3

THE PLEBISCITE.

(to the editor of the dusstak times.) Sifi, —If vox populi, vox Dei—be a true aphorism, then unquestionably, the "Plebiscite' is the authentic record of a Divine oracle. Many philosophers however, both ancient and modern, deny its truth, and adduce the evidence of history, in contravention of its authority. Popular opinions generally embody some com mon place fact or sentiment of truth ; but seldom possess any very definite or logical relation to the point under consideration. A celebrated writer, well acquainted with political subjects, with the character of men, and the motives to human action, —observes, in reference to a petition got up in tho celebrated case of " Wilkes and the electors of Middlesex" "*he progress of a petition is well known; or.e signs it, because it is against the Government ; another, because he hates the parson ; a third because it will please Sir Joseph ; and a fourth, to shew that he can write." Some of the various motives actuating the many thousands, who have voted in the " plebiscite " are the following : —one party imagine that, because the Superintendent is elected by th 3 people, he has the right to entire and absolute control over all the public affairs of the Province. This is not the least plausible view, but it arises from misapprehension of the purpose, and relations of Provincial Institutions. Another party,—the Maeandrcwites, are actu ated by mere clannishness, and personality, without regard to any public principle. Mr Macandrew is a poor man ; one of themselves : is supposed to have plebeian sympathies : and moreover, has made promises of large expenditure on Public AVorks. These, are the grounds of attachment of the "ouvriers " and a very numerous class in all parts of the Province : they record their voles accordingly in favor of MacandrewThen there is another party, whose political principles arc, hatred ot all authority, of all restraining power of Governments, and especially of Royalty, and its Representatives, the Governors of Colonies. Finally, there is another class, anxious on all occasions to show their hostility to official persons, or in the polite language of Dunedin "official toadies." The War Jans, by their allegiance to the calls of duty have incurred the special contempt of this class ; and in consequence, they recorded their votes in thj " plebiscite " against the new delegation of power. Now those views and opinions are all wide of the mark ; and leave the real question under con idoratioti, without solution. It may be quite true in tho abstract, and generally, that the Superintendent should have control of all the public business of the Province. It may also be true, that Mr Macandrew may in some respects, be an eligible person, for the office of Superintendent : but the point in question is, that there are special grounds of disqualification arising from his conduct when previously in office. The real question, affirmed by the "plebiscite' if any question at all is affirmed, is this: that integrity of conduct in official station, is not essentially requisite for obtaining the highest honors, the Province has to bestow. Surely very few of the SOOO persons who voted ill the plebiscite are so morally degraded, if the question were fairly put before them, as to assert such a position. The ministry, by reservation of official authority, have asserted tho principle that rectitude of conduct and irreproachable character are indispensable conditions in the recipient or public patronage: and I think every intelligent and conscientious man must concur in approval of their conduct. All this hostile agitation—this preaching of sedition—this propagation of falsehood anc 1 violation of constitutional principles—is solely the work of the Government and people of Dunedin. They have tried to delude the country as to the real nature of the question at issue ; and under pretence of patriotism, to cover their ambitious and selfish designs. Shameless in their audacity, they attempt to rob the Crown of its prerogatives, by demanding as a right, tho hon ors and offices of state. The Sovereign is the fountain of honor, and the source of all authority. This is a recognised fact in law—public honors, offices, and emoluments, are dispensed by the free-will and grace of the Sovereign ; and according to merit and deserving. The Plebiscite will, I suppose, be considered a great success : but a petition on any other plausible topic, requiring a change from the always unsatisfactory present, would have been equally successful. "Man never is, but always to be blest." For example, a petition for the retention of the whole of the customs and stamp-duties, collected within the Province, for provincial uses ; or even a " declaration of independence." These would appear to many just demands aud undoubted rights of the Provinces, and would be voted for accordingly. On thoso subjects public intelligence is veryfar in obeyance. Matters relating to law and constitution, are considered dry and insipid,— though the foundation of national power and prosperity—and arc left for lawyers and professional politician". Political truth is accounted a mere -a phantom of the brain of self-deluded patriotism. Rational and immutable principles are Utopian and unpractical. What pass current as principles are mere party prejudices ; and possessing no basis of intuitive truth or logical co-herence, —the distinctions of these become indistritninvte ; and politicians can—- " Oft' change place an 1 still confute" Were the pcop'e well informed on political

übjects, pretenders, impostors, and charlatans, would soon find their "occupation gone"; and New Zealand would have been spared the discreditable exhibition of ignorance and demoralization, revealed by the re.-ent agitation. The late W. E. Channing addressing the working-class in Boston, U.S., observes. I would by no means 'discourage the attention of the people to politics. They ought to study in earnest the interests of the country, the principles of our institutions, the tendencies of public measures. But the unhappiness is, they do not study : and until they do, they cannot rise by political action. A great amount of time is wasted on newspapers and conversations, which inflame the passions, distort the truth and agitate the country : and thus multitudes are degraded into men-worshippers or'men-haters; into the dupes of the ambitious or the slaves of a faction." Zfa'o. June 25, ISC7.