Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1889. WE ARE THE PEOPLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume VII, Issue 266, 10 May 1889, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1889. WE ARE THE PEOPLE.

Every eleotor at the time of a general eleotion flatters himself that he is one of the " We are the people " as candidates display a more marked interest in his wants and wishes then, than is ever pail to them by tho " duly eleoted " during his term of office. We could very well spare a deal of the fuss made at that time, if it was possible to reserve a portion for the following three years, but experience shows that the fatigue undergone at the tussle for supremacy, quite unfits the fortu* nate man for the rest of the period. Parliament is eummoned for de- [ .patch of business on the 20th June, yet up to now the only rumour oi Mr Wilson meeting his constituents ia of an unfixed dite' at Otaki, We have so often and so publicly objected to the manner in which thie constituency is ignored by its representative, that we hardly like to . -waw-lmir'-'f^V _j,- ?gain did we most strongly on a few points that will probably come under discussion this session, and that the views of our member should be thoroughly understood. We can understand the difficult position a member can be plaoed in, if he is a prominent supporter of a party in the House, speaking, before an authorised leader has spoken. In this case fortunately the ties which once bound Mr Wilson hand and foot to Sir Harry Atkinson are now broken, destroyed by a single act, which dealt a fatal blow to our member's ■ believe in the faith of princes or any of the children of men. For our own part, however much we rei gretted Sir Harry Atkinson's sup? I port of protection, we were not surprised at it, and as Mr Wilson secured the support of the majority in this constituency, we believe that as a district, we have gained, rather than lost by that action, as it released him from the hold that Minister had over him. Now there is no party claiming him, and all that his best energies need be devoted to, is the support of wise legislation for the colony, and the advancement of the wants of his own electorate. We have more hope of Mr Wilson becoming of assistance now he haa become a free man, and we know that he his willing enough to try hie best. On these grounds therefore we sincerely regret that he has delayed not only visiting the various parts of the district, but that he has not thought it wise to hold meetings and give a publio statement of his views on the many questions ! of importance that require being dealt with, and also an outline as to how he expeoted such could be carried. We know that a member may possess the most satisfactory convictions, but from want of management may utterly fail to secure the success of any one. A oase is offered in the proposed Educational Bill we referred to a few issues ago. At the Inst election, Mr Wilson pledged himself to a reform in the present system, even went so far as to get a committee formed to take evidenoe, whose only report, however, was to ask for leave to sit again, which tbe members forgot to do. Now we should like to learn whether he will assist Mr Fisher, should he introduce this. Bill, and on what points he would hold most faithfully to. We should also like to know what effort, he will put forth for free trade, and also on many other matters whioh will naturally occur to all. Mr Wilson has been in the House $ many years that he must not attempt to bide the position he holds in it,

arid it is a duty' he owes to the Oolony as much as his' OWn particular electorate,, to. lead public opinion on the questions of the nour- Young members can always fairly plead for time, but we hold that' this constituency having conferred the honor of frequent re-eleotidti OH M_ Wilson, have a right now to request him to assume the position his experience should have fitted him for. ■■ ' ' *