MR. LUCKIE AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 186, 4 August 1873, Page 2

MR. LUCKIE AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

1 TO THE EniTOlt OF THE NELSON EVENING MAII-. / Sir, — Although a persistent newspaper reader, I do not pretend tpsfodph experience in/writing for the public ejje, but as the present is a time when I think every one should do all that is in his power in the direction of opposing tbe iniquitous/ increase of taxation that is now prop<^|d,. and of showing how pressure may De brought to bear upcyi those of our repre-% sentatives who intend supporting thef ' Treasurer's proposals, I would like to be allowed to'offer you for publication an extract from the ' Colonist's ' report of Mr Luckie's address to the electors. He said: — "Jf I found that I could not fairly represent the electors I should resign/ ! Should a question of importance arise,/! ! would come over and discuss it at a oneet- ! ing called for the purpose, and if I found that a decided majority of the electors requested that I should support a certain policy, I should probably either adopt it or resign." Agaip, in reply to a question from Mr W. Garrard, Mr Luckie is reported to have said that he " would not/ support any measure for taxing wo^dbsf men more than at present." This Wrfa when he was soliciting votes. Now thf t he has secured his seat, he sends a wordy telegram to those who are opposing this fresh tax in Nelsbn, at the conclusion of which he positively Atates, " I'shall supJJ porfc the tariff." /

I shall make no remark on the above extracts, as Ido not think they need it, but now that I have my pen in hand, I may go on to say that I think the Nelson electors are placed in a very unsatisfactory position in relation to one of their representatives. I hava not a single word to say agninsfc Mr Luckie, who is a man who by his energy and abilities has raised himself to a high position in New Zealand, and therefore commands the respect of his fellows. But it is the fact of his holding this position that totally unfits him for making a really useful and independent representative. Like most of us in the/ colony, Mr Luckie is a working mau, tha/ is to say, he has to depend upon his labors for the support of himself and family. Id his particular lino of life he has become connected with a journal of whieh the present Premier is part proprietor, and he is therefore bound to support the policy of hia chief. This would not affect us so long as his allegiance were confined to writing in a newspaper, but when we consider the pressure that can be brought io bear upon him from the same quarter to secure his vote in the House, we may fairly ask ourselves the question, is he a desirable representative for tho city of Nelson. There are very few of us who can afford to throw up our occupations for the sake of pleasing our neighbors, be they or be they not our constituents, and supposing that Mr Vogel's interests and ttu)3e of the electors of 11-'elsonI 1 -' elson were lo d'ash) to what extent, I would ask, could we^depend upon receiving Mr Luckie's support' against I.lib Premier, who is said to ba one of the principal proprietors of the paper of which our representative is editor. It may be urged tbat in the event of Mr Luckie's nofc beiug able to advocate the interests of his constituents, he mijchfc be called upon to .-.tesign, but is ifc nofc probable that lifts**-, same influence would be used to prevent his doing even this ? Would uot Mr Vogel say, No, you must not give them au opportuuity of returning a member who would oppose my schemes, and would not Mr Luckie consider it discreet on his part to pay considerable attention to Mr Vogel's request or command, whichever might be the proper terra for it ? I think the relation between the electors of the City of Nelson and their representative is both anomalous and unsatisfactory. At the same time I cannot see how the connection is to be severed, even if the constituents were to desire it, wjych I am nofc prepared fco say is the case. I am, &c, Uneasy.