The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1884. The Manawatu Seat

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 5, 21 June 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1884. The Manawatu Seat

♦ The electors of the Manawatu will soon have an opportunity of carrying out their often expressed wish and intention of having to represent them in Paliament, one of themselves ; one who, from residence and personal knowledge of the capabilities and requirements of the district, would be able and willing to develop them as far as lay in his power. We have had bitter experience of the folly and error of being represented by a man who looked upon his constituents as merely necessary tools, to be used when occasion required, to provide him with a seat and place in Parliament. With a member who is also a resident in the electorate, such a condition of things would be almost impossible, because he would be always accessible to the -electors. It is often said that there is some fatality in modern politics which must reduce a member of Parliament to the ignoble position of a delegate. We utterly disbelieve it. The matter depends entirely on the member himself. If he manfully refuses to be the mere spokesman of the majority which returns him — if he claims the right to think and act for himself on the questions which come before him — he wiU assuredly, in the existing state of public feeling in the Manawatu, win more votes than he will lose. We respect those who respect themselves, and no man who respects himself will accept the position of a mere delegate to Parliament. Hie first duty is to the State ; his next to his constituents, to whom; he is responsible and accountable in the end. We- believe that any other than a local man who ventured to contest the Manawatu seat, even the redoubtable Sir Julius Yogel himself, would be defeated, so firmly resolved are the electors to have •'a man of their own." The requisitions which have been signed asking Mr Macabthub to represent the Manawatu contain the names of many influential electors who are pledged to use every endeavor to secure his election. Should Mr Macabthub be returned, we are convinced that he will make a most useful member ot the House. He has a thorough knowledge of every part of the electoral district and is acquainted with the requirements of every section of the community. Above all, he has the courage of his opinions, and would maintain them with all his might and power.