* » ! TUESDAY, NOVKMBER IG, 1880. THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES ON MR

Manawatu Herald, 16 November 1880, Page 2

* » ! TUESDAY, NOVKMBER IG, 1880. THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES ON MR

W. JOHNSTON. ♦— The New Zealand Times is a paper that, because of its age and antecedents, as well as its high-sounding title, one should respect. We are told in Scripture to respect age, and always endeavour to do so, so long as it acts in a way that entitles it to respect ; but it is frequently noticed that with extreme age there sometimes comes a tendency to thnist advice, unasked and unvalued, upon others. The Times has arrived at this stage, and in Friday's issue takes us to task for our recent references to the forthcoming election. It says we " cannot show any cause for dissatisfaction with the present member, Mr Walter Johnston," and adds that our remark that Mr Johnston's interests are not identified with \ those of the people he represents I "is the most arrant nonsense." We can only smile at the dense ignorance of the writer in the Times, who proceeds to argiie that because the West Coast railway will unite |

Manawatu and Wellington, therefore •Mr Johnston's interests are identified

with Mannwatu. As if the only dnty our representative bad to perform was to agitate for this precious railway, which has boon dinned into our ears | until we are almost tired of the name ! Thai is only a very small matter, however. It was not our ohject in the previous article to attack Mr Johnston, as no good purpose would be served by doing so. He is in now, and, as we understand, does not intend to offer himself again. Also, he would not he likely to go out, even if lie were asked to do ho. To rake tip unpleasantness would consequently serve no good purpose. We did, however, mention one or two matters which showed Mr Johnston's interests were not identified with Manawatu. As the Times studiously ignores these, perhaps more from ignorance than negligence, wo will show him how Mr Johnston's interests are not identified with his constituency. One matter is the 20 percent, of land fund. For the information of the Times, it may be stated that until last session the County Councils had for several years received 20 per cent, of the land fund. In a bush country like Mauawatn, this had proved of great value, in enabling the Council to open up roads as the lands were sold, and push hack settlement. Last session, however, Major Atkinson proposed the abolition of the payment of the •20 per cent, of land fund to Counties. The discussion took place on August 28. in the House, and Mr Mticandrew moved that the clause abolishing tlie 20 per cent, be struck out. Upon a division, the voting was equal— there were 34 on each side -— and amongst these who voted for tho abolition of the 20 per cent, was Mr Johnston. His vote lost Manawatu County a valuable source of revenue, probably amounting to at least a quarter of a million of money. The New Zealand Times knows nothing of these things. It wants to see a Wellington man in the House for Manawatu, but it may rest assured that ita wish will not in this instance be gratified. Tbe Times sneers at " the spirit of localism " which it says is rampant in the colony. Suppose Manawatu were to despatch a worthy ruau to stand for one of the Wellington constituencies at next election. How tbe Times would welcome him ! Meantime, we would suggest to our contemporary that its own duty lies in looking after the interests of the Wellington constituency. Its sudden outburst of interest on behalf of Manawatu does not sound real, and resembles the " sounding brass and tinkling cymbal." The people of Manawatu are well able to look after their own interests, and in future intend to do so.