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Dunstan Times, Issue 1007, 5 August 1881, Page 2

A part from every consideration, both mundane and spiritual, we think that the action of the Government in dis franchising (or intending to disfranchise) the Dunstan electors is at once uncalled-for and unseemly, besides being despotic and cruel; and bears us out in what we have always said of the Ministry—that they are totally incapable to direct the public affairs of the colony, and take every opportunity to annoy and insult those directly opposed to their own individual political creed. The member for the Dunstan has always been notorious for the determined stand he has made in favor of Liberalism, and it is owing to this fact, probably, that the Hall Ministry have resolved to try and p ay off their score against an old and inveterate enemy. Unfortunately, the full force of the blow will fall upon the electors, not upon the member. In the event of the Bill passing the House, our representative could stand

for One of the three electorates into which it is intended to throw the Dunstan, and with every chance of being returned, so that to a certain extent the measure would not affect him. But how would it fare with the electors! Literally, they would be unrepresented in Parliament 1 This is one of the largest and richest, and consequently most important, constituencies in New Zealand, and to propose to deprive it of its political privileges or immunities is an exploit capable of being hatched in the brain only of a Hall, whose sole aim in life is to foster tho “ gridironing industry,” or an Atkinson, who cannot possibly have a reasonable or sensible idea of anything beyond potatoe-grubbing. “ Little minds,” saith an old saw, “ are capable of grappling with petty mean things only.” Thus is it with the Hall Government. They make plenty of show over their actions, but we are sorry to say that their doings will not stand the light of day. Why do they intend to erase the Dunstan from the map! Is it because they think it is an insignificant and small district, and unworthy of a member! That cannot be the case, because it is acknowledged by every unbiased person that it is a district of great importance. Surely despots pure and simple are reigning over us ! . The electors must look to their own interests, and do their level best to burke the determination of Government to disfranchise them. They have been early made cognisant of the great danger threatening them, and unless they immediately protest against the proposed alterations, they will only have themselves to blame, and they alone be answerable for the pernicious results that will inevitably follow upon the measure being passed. Property will decrease at least 25 per cent, in value, the mining and agricultural interests will be permanently injured, and it will be a moral impossibility to obtain anything like justice for the district. The electorate is to be divided amongst three others, and if a grant of money were required for the district, what chance would there be of it being obtained ! Not the slightest! First of all three members—who probably would not have any interest in the place, and wouldn’t cave whether the prayer were granted or not -would have to be interviewed on the subject, and each of their acquiescences obtained before there would be the remotest chance of success. Besides, it would be impossible to get three men to cordially agree on a matter affecting the public welfare. We leave the matter with the electors, trusting that they will not prove false to themselves, and hope they will not rest until the tyrannical and oppressive propositions of Government are either amended or the Bill thrown into tho waste-paper basket as useless.