The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1907.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2157, 13 August 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1907.

THE MEMBER FOR ASHBURTON. It is many years since the New Zealand Houso of Representatives has witnessed such a painful exhibition as that presented by' tlio member lor Ashburton on Friday night, and it is very fortunate for the reputation of our Parliament that such sconce are of rare occurrence. Mr. J. McLaohlau is ono of tho oldest members of the Houso, having been returned election after election by largo majorities, aiul it can safely bo said that until recent years the Ashburton constituency had a worthy representative. Gruff in manner, good-heart-ed and generous to a fault, and possessed with the. rare facility of humor, Mr. McLaohlan commanded not only the personal esteem of both political friend's and opponents, but also tho affection of all who knew him. In the House liis native Scotch wit frequently enlivened the monotony of an otherwise dreary Chamber, whilst his originality of thought and occasional independence of action combined with a practical knowledge of agricultural matters made him certainly ono of the most useful members of the House. It is extremely regrettable, therefore, that an unfortunate failing that has mined the careers of many brilliant and able men should leave operated to mar the close of Mr. McLaclilan’s political career. Friday night’s exhibition, though deplorable in itself, was merely the climax of a state of affairs that lias been known to exist for some considerable period. At the last geneii'al election it was hoped that the good sense of the people of Ashburton would ho sufficient to prevent- the weaknesses of a former idol and a still estimable gentleman from being held up to ridicule. The late Mr. Seddon, however, hearing that Mr. Studholme, a farmer and an Oppositionist, appeared likely to oapture the seat, scurried along a week before the polling day and frankly told the people that they must elect his nominee or take the consequences, the result being that the former member was re-eleotcd. During tho last two sessions Ashburton has virtually been disfranchised, whilst those who are jealous of the reputation of Parliament have spent many an anxious hour because of tho peculiar methods of its member. Under the circumstances the only course left open is for Mr McLaohlan’e friends to induce him to hand in his resignation to the Speaker, and give the people of Ashburton ail opportunity to repair the grievous blunder they made in November 1905. For Mr. McLaehlan as an individual one can have nothing but the profoundest sympathy, but the interests of the community as a whole demand that there shall bo no possibility of tho degrading occurrence of last week. It now remains for the eleotors of 'Aslilm-nton to do their duty to Parliament and to themselves.