THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 775, 5 January 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1871.

Eyeeybody is asking everybody else — what is the origin and meaning of the present contest for the representation of this important district in the General Assembly ? It is not the fact that there is a contest that occasions surprise. Indeed it would have been an anomaly in the political history of this district if any seat were to be handed over without some competition between eligible candidates. But the present contest is utterly exceptional. It is exceptional in the circumstance that the most extensive, most numerous, and pne of the most important constituencies in the whole colony, is considered to 1 be the fitting* arena for introducing an Titter stranger to the representation, and that anybody can be found willing to countenance such an outrageous proposal. We use the term "outrageous" advisedly, for the candidature of Mr Buckley has not" one single element of recommendation to a constituency, such as that of the Grey Valley. If he had had the slightest connection with the district, if he had been a gentlemen of any political status whatever, or if he had distinguished himself by public service of any kiud, there would have been some decency and 1 reasonableness in submitting him in competition with local candidates. But that an attempt should be seriously made to force upon the electors a gentleman who fulfils none of the conditions we have indicated is something so outrageous as to lead but to one opinion — and that is, that Mr Buokloy'o political friends are under the impression or delusion that they can dictate to the district to accept Mr Buckley for no other reason than that they choose it to be so. If we enquire concerning the invitation in compliance with which he has come forward, we find that it does not bear the least approach to one of a public character.' Until within the last few days the whole thing was a mystery to everybody. No public opinion had ever been expressed or asked for on the subject of his candidature — it is simply the work of some small section of the community, who, if they were called upon to give any satisfactory reason for their action, could not possibly find one single argument, but that of their own personal predilections. And are the interests of a large, industrious, and intelligent community like ours to be trifled with in such a manner 1 We put the question to every man who has the slightest interest in the affairs of the district, whether he can possibly countenance the complete violation of everything that is usually considered to be the "fit and proper" conditions of a political contest that is being attempted to be perpetrated ? What are the qualifications that should constitute any man as a fitting representative ? The first and most essential one, we would think, is* that of personal acquaintance with, and knowledge of, the public interests of the district he seeks to represent. The possession of this qualification is absolutely necessary in a young Colony like this, where legislative measures of every kind have to be accommodated to its varying circumstances. It is true that mere "local" knowledge, as applied to the representation of a district in the Parliament of a country, is really no qualification whatever. It may do for a Road Board or Municipal Council, where "local knowledge," in its strictest interpretation, is eminently useful. If that were all that was required, the most eligible candidates would be found amongst the wandering miners, who kndw every gully and creek in the country. But an intimate and comprehensive knowledge of the general interest) and relations of the district is a grand and foremost necessity. There is scarcely an Act of Parliament, not a mere judicial measure, which does not, in a great or ''small degree, affect the special interests of particular districts, or particular classes. How is anyone in the position of a representative to regulate his conduct with regard to such measures, except he be able to appieciate the effect they might have upon the interests of those whom he represents? Surely this consideration must force itself upon the minds of even Mr Buckley's friends. With«the very best of intentions, a member may, entirely through want of acquaintance with the interests of his constituents, be the means unwittingly of utterly sacrificing them. Now, we would ask are the political affairs of this district in so satisfactory and quiescent a state that they can so far take care of themselves as to be entrusted to a merely nominal and absentee representative ? Are there no special questions vitally and materially affecting the present and future welfare of the district that have to be dealt with. Is there nothing in the administration of its affairs that require to be amended 1 Is the egislation affecting the Gold Fields so

satisfactory that no attempt is needed to improve it '? Are the miners satisfied with the present system of Gold Fields management ? These are questions that cannot be ev-ided, and of themselves they afford full and complete reasons for scouting the idea of entrusting the interests of this important district to anyone unacquainted with them. The, number of Gold Fields members in the Assembly is small enough in all conscience" without making them* less. .What hasten the great complaint upon the GoldiTields of Otago I— that their interests have suffered through absentee members. Do the miners, the agricultural settlers, the capitalists and owners of property in this district desire to see the experiment repeated here ? We trow not, and on the grounds we have stated Mr Buckley's candidature ought to be, as wfe are sure it will be, utterly rejected by every right-thinking elector in the district. Mr Buckley's friends have indeed made a grand error and placed their protege in a very false position by undertaking the present contest. They could only have made the nristake they have done either through ignorance of the dimensions of the task they have undertaken, or through a most ridiculous idea of their influence and authority. If they are are actuated by the latter feeling they will be completely undeceived. The five or six thousand electors of the Grey District are not to be dictated to or controlled by any clique of whatever kind. They fully understand the interests that are involved in the election, and they have sufficient to be guided by it alone in the exercise of their votes. And we will back intelligence and honest voting against cliqueism any day. Practically the contest resolves itself into this — an inexperienced outsider, against an experienced local man. There may possibly be other candidates, but the election will be between Mr P. A. Buckley, of Wellington, and Mr W. H. Harrison, of Greymouth. Every one in the district, of every shade of opinion, must admit that Mr Harrison is thoroughly conversant with its interests. He is one of its earliest residents, and has been concerned one way or another in every public movement within it. He has represented Greymouth both in Parliament of the Colony and in the County Council for three years, during which time no political actions of his has ever been disapproved by his constituents. To many of the electors now included in the new electorate of Grey Valley he presents himself as a candidate for the first time, and they will judge of him as they find him. There may be] and, of course, will be, differences of opinions on minor points, but we venture to predict that his views on the most material questions affecting the welfare of the district will meet with general approval, and secure for him general confidence and support.