THE Grey River Argus SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1870.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 773, 31 December 1870, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1870.

Our Wellington telegram received yesterday confirms the opinion we ventured to express, a short time ago, that the general election for members of the House of Representatives will take place during the month of February. The present Parliament is dissolved, and the writs for the new elections are returnable on the 25th February, on which date the General Assembly is formally summoned to meet. iln all probability, however, this will prove to be a mere formal summons, as it is not likely that, tinder ordinary circumstances, the Parliament will assemble before the usual period. Of course, if the complications in Europe should involve England in war, we may expect an early summons of the Assembly, if for no other reason than to consider the relations between the Mother Country and the Colony, or the Colonial defences. One thing, at any rate, is certain — that the election will take place in a very few weeks. As far as this district is concerned, there is no probability of any contest between local candidates. It is tolerably certain that the electors will have to choose between Mr W. H. Harrison, of Greymoutfy and Mr P. Buckley, of Wellington, both of whom have published their addresses. That of Mr Harrison has already been before our readers, and without committing ourselves to any definite views upon the various opinions expressed by that gentleman, we may, however, state that his address bears upon the face of it a thorough knowledge of the affairs and wants of the district itself $ and of those of the Colony at large. Mr Buckley's address is meagre in*tne extreme — indeed it would have been unfair to have expected any comprehensive expression of opinion from a candidate who openly confesses to the electors, that he intends to make himself acquainted with the matters affecting the district " at an early date." Perhaps Mr Buckley shares with other North Island residents, in the opinion that the gold fields have no affairs the bearing of which carnot be mastered in five minutes. The electors j may think differently. They may assume that it is at any rate a necessary qualification that their representative should have some real knowledge of their political wants, and some actual acquaintance

with the district he represents. As the issue is so clearly resolved into the question of whether the Grey Valley District should be represented.by an utter stranger or by a local resident, there can be no want of delicacy whatever in an outspoken expression of opinion. So far as we can learn, a large majority of the constituency regard the attempt to force an outsider into the representation of this district as an insult to the intelligence and character of the population. With the personal element of the contest we have nothing to do. Mr Buckley may be a very desirable person to Bit in Parliament, but we say most emphatically that the Grey Valley District is not the constitency that ought to return him; or any other person who is not acquainted with its affairs. Taking the two candidates who are in the field on their merits, we think there should be no hesitation in the minds of the electors. Mr Harrison i 3 an old resident, and he has received the hearty approbation of his constituents in this district of his conduct during the three years he has been in Parliament. No one can doubt his intimate acquaintance with the affairs of the district, or his heartfelt interest in the welfare of the gold fields generally. Such claims as he has upon the support of the district should not be lightly regarded. He has in no sense forfeited the confidence of those who previously elected him, and there is no reason to doubt his fidelity to the interests of the constituency in the future. We believe that in expressing this opinion we are expressing that of all who have any unprejudiced ideas on the subject. Had Mr Harrison been pitted against any local opponent, we believe he would go to the head of the poll. But with his present rival there can be no doubt that he will be returned by an overwhelming majority, that will teach those who seem not to think otherwise that the Grey District need not go so far as Wellington for a member, and cast itself into the arms of an utter stranger, whose- only qualification is that he is the nominee of a very small section of the constituency,