The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1874.

Dunstan Times, Issue 650, 2 October 1874, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1874.

Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the penis mightier than the a word.

It is extremely refreshing to find that the Gold-fields at least possess some honest well {mentioned members in the Provincial Council, and who have the manlihood to come before their constituents and say that, as I cannot accomplish for you the task I set myself about, I will resign my position, and you must try somebody else, If ever there was a protest against Provincialism it is Mr Robert Clarke’s resignation as member for the Lakes, and we believe his reasons to be cogent ones, and pretty clear! v explain the position of Gold-fields’ members in the Council. Mr Clarke, who called a meeting of a few of his supporters together at Arrowtown, gave the following us his reasons for resigning : 1. The Lakes’ District has hitherto been grossly neglected in the matter of public works, especially in roads and bridges, although the revenue raised in the. district, under pretence of furnishing these requisites, has been amply sufficient for all requirements. 2. The only hope of redress lies in the votes ot the Provincial Council, and in their execution by Executives; chosen by the majority of that Council. 3. My experience during two sessions of the Provincial Council, as well as my researches in past votes and proceedings, have thoroughly convinced me that parties and interests are so arranged in that Council, that it is useless for the Lakes’ District to hope that any adequate return in its favor will ever bo voted by a body of men whose in. tercsts, in a majority of cases, diverge so widely from the direction . of this district.

4. I have therefore no alternative but tho protest entered by my resignation. 5. In doing so I beg, on behalf of those whom I have had the honor to represent, as well as in justice to my own feelings, to tender my most sincere thanks to your Honor for the careful attention you have invariably bestowed on all matters which, in the interestofthe district, I have been able to bring under your Honor's notice, and to remain, &C.

Mr Clarke is doubtless quite right when he says things are so arranged that parties and interests get pretty well what they like, while country constituencies suffer. Mr Clarke has however been a very efficient member and seems to have obtained a very fair share of the spoil for his constituents, ns looking over the Votes and Proceedings of the last session, he secured a reasonable proportion of what he asked for, and we can scarcely see, considering that after having served two sessions in the Council and got initiated into Provincial Politics he cun benefit his constituents by resigning. Country districts obtain but a very small share of the public expcnditure to which they should be entitled ; the chief of the revenue is expended about Dunedin and its vicinity, and being strong in votes, parties representing those interests are able to obtain just what they fancy they want. Since the large rail wav expenditure has been commenced, the importance of Town interests have been magnified to an alarming extent, the up-country being almost ignored, but this artificial state of affairs will not last for ever, while to provide employment for the railways when finished, the country must at least be prosperous. There is no doubt but our value will bo appreciated some day, something like a literal rendering of the old fable of the “ Belly and its members ’’ may make itself disa greeably felt at_a very inconvenient season.