THE SITUATION.

Evening Star, Issue 4234, 21 September 1876, Page 3

THE SITUATION.

To the Editor. Sib,—lt is all very well for the Political Association and its stick-at-nothing champion—the ' Guardian'—to dare Messrs Cargill, Rattray, and others to discuss the situation with the Association on a public platform. In the present temper of the community nothing would be easier for the .Association than to pack the Drill-shed with its adherents and the supporters of Provincialism, when it would be a poor look-out for any resolutions in opposition to their view, or speakers who might have the temerity to defend these resolutions. The Association are evidently conscious where their strength lies. I have not and never had much faith in a Dunedin public meeting; and still less in a petition, to which signatures can be obtained almost for the asking, when the obtaining of them depends upon a consideration. But I fancy there is a way of obtaining the real voice of the Province upon the present political position. We are told Mr Macandrew is on his way home, or is about returning. Let his first official act on his return be to call his Executive together and obtain their sanction to a repetition of the coup of 1867. What was legal in that year would be equally so in 1876, when the position is as critical again. A plebescite of the votes on the present electoral rolls —men who have some stake, be it great or small, in the country; not mushroom politicians, who are only heard of at suburban meetings —should be taken without delay. To aueh a vote deliberately given, exception could not be taken by either Provincialist or Abolitionist; and I venture to think the utmost respect would be paid to it by the powers that be.—l am, &c,

-A.RCHTS Dunedin, September 19. *

To tlie Editor.

Sir,—lf Messrs Macandrew and Stout come down from Wellington, as it is rumored they intend to do within the next few days, I think they should be called upon to resign their seats, to allow of gentlemen being put in their places who will act in the interests of Otago in the present situation of political affairs. These gentlemen both hold remunerative Provincial billets, and it cannot therefore be expected that they should look much beyond their own interest unless they resign these offices. I think no better men could be chosen to replace them than Messrs E. B. Cargill and A. C. Strode, if they could be induced to come forward. Gentlemen of that stamp would have some weight and influence in the House.—l am, &c, One who Voted fob Macandbkw amd Stout. Dunedin, September 21.