The Evening Star FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1874.

Evening Star, Issue 3485, 24 April 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1874.

The constituency of Dunedin have decided upon electing Mr Wales as their representative, notwithstanding his acknowledged connection with the Waterworks Company, and his inexperience in political subjects. We refrained from expressing an opinion on the matter prior to the election, for when two citizens of acknowledged respectability present themselves as candidates, professing like political opinions, we do not feel called upon to

endeavor to turn the scale in favor of either. This has been precisely the case in this instance. Both Mr Bartoo and Mr Wales are entitled to the respect of the people of Dunedin, and the numbers polled by each show that they nearly equally enjoy it. We freely confess that we expected the choice to have been different, for, however estimable as a citizen and professional man Mi Wales may be, his pursuits have not fitted him for political life, so well as the training which Mr Barton has had. It is satisfactory to know that Mr Wales is equally anxious for the success of the Public.Works and Immigration plans of the General Government as Mr Barton ; but we doubt whether his opinions will c&rry equal weight in the House. The fact is very apparent that Mr Wales has his lesson to learn, and that, so far from exerting that influence upon the national councils which the largest and most influential

commercial City in the Colony should seek, our main political force will have to be wielded by Mr Reynolds, who may be aided only by the vote of his inexperienced colleague. We have no doubt of the desire of Mr Wales to serve Dunedin. Willingness to sacrifice time and talent in the public service should form guarantees to this effect in the minds of the electors. Nor do we fall in with the notion that Mr Wales will lend himself to the extension of the monopoly enjoyed by the Waterworks Company; but we think that as Dunedin has chosen the task of sending an untried man to Parliament, the electors must be pre-

pared to exercise more than usual patience with him : they must be prepared for the usual blunders made by tyros, the usual errors of judgment, the usual slips arising from unacquaintance with the forms of the House, and the manoeuvres of experienced politicians. They must not condemn too harshly nor be surprised, if in the course of development of Mr Wales’s political character, it should assume form and feature contrary to the expectations of his sup-, porters. We confess we think it an error for a constituency like that of Dunedin to be reprinted % one who

has all to learn. It does not show that the duties of a representative are appreciated or understood by the const! tuency. It is something like the current idea regai’ding newspapers. Many people think any man who can write is equal to reporting for or editing a newspaper ; and just so it seems to be thought any one who obtains sufficient votes is equal to efficient representation in Parliament. But those who have tried and not succeeded, and those who have trhd and have succeeded, know better. They could tell of nights of weary study, patient reading, and hard working j of self-denial, disappointment, annoyance ; of suppressed feelings of irritation through misrepresentation of their motives, and of sacrificing their own interests and sometimes health for the public service. All

tins and more they have to pass through and endure. Mr Wales’s political education has now begun, and it will be well for him to be cautious and wary in his first steps ; for many through being in too great haste to rise have wrecked their political prospects. On the other hand the constituency will have to watch well lest the leader they have chosen should run off the road. We have

more than once seen the leader in a tandem make a bolt in spite of the whip and rein of the roost skilful Jehu. We have seen him turn round and face the driver in spite of his best efforts. This seldom happens where the horse knows his work and has had experience. It is generally the young and comparatively untried one that marks out a track for himself calculated to endanger the welfare of those who trust themselves to his efforts. Just so it is in politics, and it is this tendency to bolt, to act independently or in defiance of

a constituency that has to be guarded against. We trust Mr Wales will prove all that a member for Dunedin should be, and that we shall have reason to be proud that our trust in him has not been misplaced. One thought is suggested by the result of yesterday’s election, and of certain imports that have reached us j and it is worthy of serious consideration. We have all heard of

block voting under ecclesiastical influence. There is good reason to believe that to a certain extent that was resorted to. We do not think Mr Wales was a party to it, nor even perhaps consulted ; but it is exerted occasionally to keep a talented opponent out of Parliament, as well as to put a less dangerous one in; and Mr Barton seems to have been more feared than Mr Wales. It is advisable these things should be borne in mind in anticipation of another election, for it is absolutely necessary that every elector

should be left politically and religiously free in the exercise of his vote. A system of combination on one side will render it necessary on the other, and the consequence to the minority cannot be doubtful—they will never be able to make themselves heard in Parliament,