The Evening Star TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2471, 17 January 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1871.

The contest for the &uperin tendency this dame is fast assuming a parked srimihuiity to the contest of 1867, We Ihave tfhe same formidable array of <« names " upon the one side ; the popular element decidedly ,wpon tbe other. Mr MacandreW’s principle ,of conduct has been throughout—“ The greatest (« good tor -the greatest *mj#bcr; u Ifc

uvs been, timing his career of office, sspeoially the working man’s friend; md except by Mr Grant and liis small bllowing, this fact is fully recognised —an appreciation which we have no loubt whatever will be distinctly shown in the ballot boxes throughout she Province. It would, no doubt, suit our Dunedin aristocracy to have me of themselves filling this high office —some gentleman amenable to the various cliques which constitute our society, and who would carry out the selfish views of those who consider themselves, and who wish to confirmed in the position, the dominant class. Such a really liberal land law as Mr Macandrew is prepared to initiate would not suit those gentlemen, who, even though they be members of the Southern League, and have ever in their mouths the cry of “ Land for the {t people, and people for the land ! aie really in their hearts only anxious that a system should be instituted which would give complete monopoly to the capitalist, and shut out the poor man and man of moderate means from the chance of becoming freeholders. The much-abused squatters hold certainly largo tracts of country, but quite recognise that they must give way to settlement. When, however, the laud hills into the hands of a few largo proprietors, it is a most mischievous state of things for any Colony, and would especially he the case in New Zealand, where the available area of useful land is limited. That this would be the result of the land policy of the self-named “ Liberal party,” we have no manner of doubt; and in this as in other matters the title they have assumed is evidently a misnomer for a party as distinguished for political selfishness as for sterility of political intelligence. The land question judiciously handled, as we have frequently had occasion to remark, makes a very good election cry, and is being used, we have reason to know, in the most unscrupulous manner in the canvass now progressing. I3c the Act of 18(1(3 what it may, it is manifestly unfair to saddle the responsibility of it upon the present Superintendent,, who was not even in office at the time, and who indeed in his place in Parliament opposed the very provisions which are most complained of. Mr Mai 'Andrew says with great truth, in liis published address, that he fears any attempt to revive the Regulations of 1854 would prove futile. We think indeed he might go so for as to say that any change in the principle of our present land legislation would be exceedingly difficult to effect, in the face of the very natural indisposition of the Assembly to be continually (tinkering at laws, such as those affecting land, under which vested interests of great value have been created. We again reiterate to. the electors—Do not be led away by the “ land question,” as misrepresented by the supporters of Mr Reid. Mr Macandrew is as fully in earnest in his desire to see speedy and large settlement as Mr Reid has ever shewn himself to he ■; and as between the candidates, we may put that question aside. At the last election very similar tactics were adopted ; the Aveight of capital, and of the influence directly and indirectly influenced by capital, was employed against the man who had the interest of ..the people at heart, and employed, Ave may be alloAved to congratulate ourselves, Avithout any measure of success. We believe the present contest Avill have a like result. Mr Reid is a straightforAvard, honest man, anxious to do good ; but ho is unfortunate in liis proud aspirations, and especially unfortunate in Ins backers. The electors of the Province, and especially the electors of this City, have opinions of their own, and Avill not choose to be dictated to by a clique, let them call themselves by Avluit high-sounding name they Avill. The electors recognise this fact, that imdci- Jty Macandrew, Avith a compliant Council, public Avorks will be pushed on, immigrajfclou fostered, and economy effected in the administration of public affairs; Avhile from sad experience they have nothing to look forAvard to from Mr Reid but a conscientious discharge of the duty of c Jfow not to do it.”