The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1, 1865.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 777, 1 November 1865, Page 2

The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1, 1865.

A fjew months ago when Major Richard- j eon addressed his constituents in the Theatre, the meeting passed a resolution that no member who was opposed to Separation was worthy the confidence of the electors. This was a very unpleasant result of an hour's eloquent declamation against the Separation movement, but the gallant Major took it kindly. He could hardly be expected as a Cabinet Minister to accept a resolution of this kind in sober seriousness. Besides he no doubt argued that as probably not more than a third of those present were voters, it did not much signify what was said or done—and so the hostile expression of popular opinion flew harmlessly over the Major's head. But circumstances have altered a little since then. Such men as Major Itiehardson will no longer repose securely on the votes of a tiow-o-oing minority, who look upon all reforms as innovations. For the future the representatives of Otago must be upheld bv porralar opinion, which no man can disregard. There is a class of electors -" now which will not be quite so easy to manage as the old one, and which will doubtless look rather more sharply after its representatives. And unless public opinion in Otago has changed, or certain members are prepared to recant their own, it is probable their faces will be missing in the new House of Representatives. It wdll certainly be no easy matter to find fifteen suitable men to represent Otago. It may, we suppose, be calculated on that three or four of the present members will stand for re-election, and we have no doubt that they can give their constituents good reasons why they should be again returned. With the general election fast approaching, it is time* that steps were being taken to secure the bestpossible men. It is not alone the duty of wJLlie electors! to choose wisely, but it is incumbent on. those who feel they can serve ike Province to come forward.

Undoubtedly the great election cry will be Separation, for that will be,the momentoua question to be settled in the; next session of the Assembly. There will be a severe struggle, but we think there is. little fear of the result, provided that a faithful representation be secured. ),\ We think that now the Assembly is over, the Otago members should be invited to ; meet their constituents.'* No doubt the electors would like to hear from their own lips the reasons why some of the members so systematically supported the policy of the late Ministry for imposing additional burdens on the Province. At least the Dunedin members should convene their constituents and give an account of their stewardship. The electors would then be able to judge between them : if Major Richardson can satisfactorily explain the part he has taken, ail the better for his chance of re-elec-tion.