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Golden Bay Argus, Volume 1, Issue 41, 8 March 1884, Page 2

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(We publish the letters of oar correspondents bccarse that (in a certain is a duty we owe to them and to the public, all we ask is that they and not üb; be responsible for their contents. K G B. A.) The Editor, Golden I3av Argus. Sir.

As the General Election is fast approaching, it. is well that our ideas should assume definite shape in nntici* pation of a contest, especially as there appears to be a mutual uu iors:priding amongst the Electors that a change in representation is sadly needed so far as we are concerned.

it i 3 noticeable that, notwithstand-

~- J — -t-'-- ■ i -- our present Government a change might be advisable, as experience ana History has taught us, that when any one party retains the reins of Government for too-lung a period, it nnrtm-1— ly becomes too assumptive and even Autocratic. Otr present Ministry could not perhaps be formed on a better basis and considering the material to work upon, composed of a number of men from tho House as a w hole, who would work in better unison: but it is an undoubted fact that the m.unstay is the Premier, without whom they would have no stability Without Major Atkinson In fact, the- present party in power would for a time become disorganised there being no other in the ministry or their followers with the necessary ability to lead nor having the confidence and tact absolutely required in a leader to keep a party together. It is a deplorable fact that the Premier has to do all the hard fighting on his side of the house, which naturally leads one to examine the strength of both parties, so far as the personal »- bifitiea of the meml>ers are concerned, such sn examination in my opinion will prove that the. a present opposition is composed of more good all round ©en, »nan are to be found on the Ministerial side

Unfortunately for the country, the Opposition at the last election lost some of their best men, reallv their Leaders, such as Wakefield Barron and Fox, who if strengthened by a number of that stamp would balance

the power on both sides. I have no® ticjti rh.it there h & feeling io the coun .ry mat a change* is desirable, slthou h no? arising out of any serious complaint .uam-'t th-j ore ant Govern*

(ii nu Thia is ro a certain extent coa* firmed uy the election of Wakefield by a constituency latAlv represented fev fair John Hall, whoa** political opinions harmouisad generally with the preseaf Government.

Now they return one who i« bit® terlv opposed to the Governtaems sal unpuestionably a man of gvaat ability. Here at least is one who will be found b match for the Major. With the uncertainty then before ug ;is to which party will be in power after the next election, it becomes us to seriously consider what stamp of a man we ought to have as our Representative. Il our district were such as to attract n brilliant nelitioinn it would be a matter of indifference to us whether he were Whig or Tory, but a.a we are cot at* ractiv i enough F aupooaa we must cos* tent ourselves with being represented i>v an average all round man. I do not think the electors are po Liberal as to return a man with vtews ao broad that local matter# become a becondary consideration, but rathe? hope that sa tho coming election they will be true to themselves in being selfish to the very letter. We have been sacrificed so l°ng to tiie oxci-isivs ben --fir »»f other,

inu-t anticipate tho next three years bv returning, it possible, someone who has loc.il ideas aim )sc to a fault. Inetead ol it being necessary for us to be cob* tiuually dinning at our member, as v?g are now, to perform his duties, we w#at a member who can rt-ahse that he is thi political servant of his constituent aad who will invite us to make suggestions to assist hi ,<< in carrying out plagg ior our we'fare. We want a man of this stamp and in r_ general sense and without being po. iuicully immoral, Independent, ofcourse •ewi.i expect to be represented on all matters of national importance that may ue uoo.ited, such as the Reorganization or abolition of the Upper House, amalgamation of Road Boards and County Councils, Nationalization of the Land and Lite Assurance. Such mattes* are worth ventilating and deserve tho attention of all electors- Space will not permit me here to go further, bat perhaps afford ms room in a future issue. The Upper House question is especially sa impartial one a« it is possible good Icgislati mi 33 much 1 etarded by an assembly who for the greater part are men in their dotage consequently having idea# toe conservative and fixed. I am An Elector. CollingwooJ 41 h March 1884.