The Fielding Star. TUESDAY, SEPT. 25, 1883. Our Future Member.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 48, 25 September 1883, Page 2

The Fielding Star. TUESDAY, SEPT. 25, 1883. Our Future Member.

As our representative, the Hon. Walter J"hvston, will cease to be so in a very short time, it may not be out of place for us to consider what will be necessary for the electorate to do i.» order that it be fitly represented during the next session. In the fir.-t place it is generally admitted on all sides, that representation by a member who is not a. resident and a fellow worker wilh the electors, is a gross error, as well as an actual wrong in fiicted on the whole constituency. '1 he experience of the Manawatu as a pocket borough, which virtually re turned an additional member for Wellington, has been of the most unpleasant nature, and the lesson taught will, it is to be hoped, be remembered should any local man, or men, be pitted against a self styled " colonial legislator" who may offer himself for fhe suffrages of the electors of Manawatu. A local man can always be got at. when he is returned to Parliament. It is impossible for him to avoid interviews with any of his constituents when they feel inclined to air their grievances to him with a view to having them amended or alleviated. He cannot escape chem however astute he may be. On the other hand, it is highly probable that his sympathies will be strongly excited in a matter that certainly must affect him, either directly or indirectly, seeing that his whole private interests are bound up with theirs. He may, at the same time, take a consistent and broad view of colonial politics, and do good service as a statesman as well as a private member He is certain to know the internal needs of his district, and his position ought to make him able to gratify the natural inclination he must necessarily have to supply any want, the gratification of which would assist in the progress of the whole community. For a district like our own, a man is required who not only knows what is best for the place, but also has the tact and knowledge to enable him to accomplish his ends by the exercise of his qualities of persistance and determination. To represent such a constituency as the Manawatu ought to be. looked on as a high honor, and tlnvoice ot its representative should have weight in the Councils of the State. We are prepared to say that such is the case at present., but not in the way we would like. Manawatu has hitherto been looked on in the House as a very secondary place, and its member has only been heard as a Wellington man. If Palmerston, Feilding, and Halcombe agree as to a candidate, his return would he safe against all comers. But the«e places must be united. Any division between them would allow an outsider to stepin'anddafeatthelocal candidateLet the three places settle as to one candidate to receive their united support, and the desired end will be accomplished. The resignation of Mr Whitakkr as Premier, and the reconstruction of the Ministry under Major Atkinson will cause vacant seals to excite more than usual attention, and we trust the interest w."ll not bo allowed to flag by the Press.