ELECTION FOR THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 106, 10 March 1871, Page 3

ELECTION FOR THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

(To the Editor of the .Moir.vx ln.i Cuuo.vrcr.R.)

Snt, —lt would appear that wo aro to have a strong band of candidates to contest the representation of this dis, tricl; in the Provincial Council. But while it is gratifying to see go many anxious to distinguish themselves, yet we must regret that more influential —more able and independent men are not among this bad. Many say, "It does not matter much whom we send to the Provincial Council," but this is a great mistake. Mi matters immodi* ately concerning the district must to debated in that House—such as sludge channels, commonage*, an increased supply of water lor mining, t!»e making of roads, &c. 'rhe.se aro matters in which all are interested, but which wo can only hope to obtain by returning members, not simply to vote with this or that party 1 , but to speak—to show logically what would conduce to tho prosperity of the district and the Pro, vince. It behoves and all of u*, therefore, to judge for ourselves, and not to be led by any would-be political declaimer, who may not have a stake in the district, and whose only aim may be self-aggrandisement at our- expense,. The electioneering cry of some of our would-be politicians is "Elect no squatter—he is the enemy of the minei\* r and so on. Now, sir, those who make such assertions are knowingly misleading the electors. If the squatter be the enemy of the miuer he must also, be his own enemy, because tho prosperity of the latter is to a groat extent the prosperity of the former, Tho squatters in our immediate neighbor, hood find in Naseby a good market for their surplus stoclc, which is consumed directly and indirectly by the minora, For the squatter to oppress the miner would be to "starve the goose which lays him the golden eggs." So far, tho interests of the squatter and tho miner do not claali. But, you will aide, what about a commonage. Well, if wo can show the squatter that a commonage would add to our prosperity, I cannot see why he should not grant it; because, although it would take n,waypart of his run, the remaining part would pay so much better. Ue has a right to claim compensation; but there should be no difficulty on this score, as therevenue raised per annum in Naseby is considerable, a very small portion of which should suffice for this purpose. Moreover, we should remember that it is only through the squatter we can get a commonage at present, and if it°h« to our advantage to have one, let us have it at once, and not wait until the land laws are altered—a matter which may not be brought about for years. Hitherto, however, we have lost nothing, but gained a great deal by not having a commonage. The miners have never paid for the grazing of their horses, part of which run imon Mr, Saunders' and part upon Mr. Maitland's run/ roaming over an area of about 80,0U0 acres of country, lightly stocked with sheep and well 'clad with grass, as the sleekness of our horses testify. From this area neither cnttlo nor horses were ever sent to pound I indeed, they never sent any horses to pound. I admit they might have, but they did not, which shows that they ! are the friends of the miners.

But you may aiak, What interest would a squatter take in having tho supply of water increased for mining purposes, and in having a shidgo eh;uiuel constructed? Well, both the*, important matters would add, if obtained, to the prosperity of the minors, and consequently to tho Bquatters' prosperity, as T "have already shown. But, apart from this, the squatters have a special interest in having the Naseby sludge channel constructed. It happens that where we want tho sludge channel is the boundary between Mr, Saundero and Mr. Maitland, and that the construction of a sludge channel would save their putting up a mostly fence.

All things considered, I <io not bev lievo that one imiu in Xasoby is so much interested in its advancement, m is either of these squatters, and if wg consult our own interest we will immediately request one of them to come forward to contest the repreaeiitaijop -of tin's district iu the I'rovincial Council —I ai>). &o tl J) 4 1 r yx&n*