MR. PYKE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 753, 22 September 1876, Page 3

MR. PYKE.

(to The editor of the dunstan times.) Sir, —In your last issue there is a letter signed “ A Nevis Miner,” in -which the wiiter criticises the action taken at Alexandra with reference to Mr Pyko’s vote on tho Separation resolutions. Ais tho writers remarks are calculated to create a false impression regarding the objections to Mr Pyke’s proceedings, with your permission, I will explain tho position taken up by those persons who considered that our member’s conduct was deserving of censure. When Mr Pyke was a candidate for the representation of the district, he distinctly stated that ho was in favor of the separation of the North and South 'glands, with one legislature for each. He also strongly objected to the country being ruled by a central legislature sitting at Cook’s Straits, and said that rather than submit to such a system of government, he would vote in favor of having two provinces for each island. These were Mr Pyke’s deliberately expressed opinions, which, as he on several occasions informed the electors, he had held for some thirteen years, and as Mr Pyke was elected by a large majority, it is only fair to assume that they were the opinions of the bulk of bis constituency, how, let us'see in what manner Mr Pyke redeemed hi? pledges. The Opposition met together arid rigreed to certain terras as a basis on which they would support i the financial separation of the North'arid South These terms were embodied in a set of resolutions propdbed by Sir ,G. Grey, and were to tho following effect. “That it was desirable that the North and South islands »hould be separated, with a legislature for each island; the southern legislature to meet at Christchurch, and the northern one at Auckland ; the federal legislature to sit as at present at Wellington, but its operations to be confined to purely federal questions ; the resolutions also stated tho proportion of the interest on the public debt which should be payable by each of the islands, in the event of separation being carried out. Now, let “■ A Nevis Miner” bear in mind that these wore merely resolutions affirming a broad, general principle, and that before any practical effect could have been given to them, a bill would have to be passed through the legislature for that purpose, and “A Nevis Miner” must be well aware that a bill in its psssage through the legislature is frequently so altered in its details that the originator of the measure would hardly recognise his own handiwork. Such being the case, any objections to the’inih or details were entirely premature ; and as the resolutions embodied the deliberately expressed opinions of Mr i Pyke, and, presumably, also those of his constituents, it was Mr Pyke’s duty to have supported them. Instead of doing so, Mr Pyke, in defiance'o'f the opinions expressed in his printed address,' and public speeches, threw all sense of honor to the winds, and sacrificed his principles by voting with the Ministry. By doing so he may have obtained the confidence of the Nevis miners, hut if so, all that I can say is'that it is tho most comical method of gaining people’s 'confidence that has ever come within the scope of my experience. The truth of the matter is that, at the, time the Separation resolutions were brought forward, Mr Pyke was no longer afree|agent.Early in the session he had accepted the position of Government whip, whose duties are to muster up members on important divisions, to try to influence doubtful voles, and generally to do all in his power to maintain a working majority for the party to which be is attached. I need hardly say that Mr Pyke could not hold such an office and act independently ; the very nature of his duties rendered it a necessity that he should be an uncompromising supporter of the Ministry. The remarks of “A Nevis Miner,” with reference to the county system, are altogether beside the question at issue. For my own pax-t I am of opinion that tho county system is utterly unsuited for thinly populated districts like the Dunstan ; but if the constituencies were of another opinion, there is no more reason why the system should not be initiated by a legislature sitting at Christchurch than by one at Wellington. In conclusion, I will only observe that one of the chief causes which has prevented the miners from obtaining the legitimate political influence to which they are entitled has been the character of the men they have elected as representatives. They have elected men to, represent them whose votes could be obtained by tho Ministry of the day whenever they liked to pay the price for them, and a member who systematically betrays the interests of his constituents, has only to repeat the regular stock phrases about the “ unity of the colony,” “the Britain of the South,” “local self-government,” etc , and wind up with the hackneyed cry of the abolition of the gold duty, and tho minors are prepare 1 to take him at his own value, condone all his treachery, and place him in a position to repeat it when it suits his interest to do so. Why should a“ A Nevis Miner” feel surprised if, after such puerile exhibitions, persons who are discussing the relative values of a digger and a salmon, should unhesitatingly give their verdict in favor of the fish. I'am, etc., An Alexandra.Miner,