Election Intelligence.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 62, 31 October 1855, Page 2

Election Intelligence.

Meeting of Waimea Electors at Richmond.

On Saturday evening last, an adjourned meeting of the electors of the district of Waimea took place at Richmond, to consider the steps necessary to be taken to secure eligible representatives for the district in the General Assembly. J. W. Baruicoat, Esq., M.P.C., was called to the chair. The Chairman briefly alluded to the object of the meeting. Mr. Travers said he had received a requisition from a body of the electors, inviting him to come forward to again represent the district, but he had forborne giving a reply, as the present meeting to consider what gentlemen should be invited to become the representatives of the district was about to be held. He had seen the name of Mr. Domett mentioned as a gentleman qualified to represent the district ; but the electors were not probably aware thpt

Mr. Domett, acting aa a Government , Land Commissioner in the Ahuriri district, .-had negotiated large purchases of land from the natives, to pay for which and other smaller purchases, the revenue of the province was defrauded. He doubted, therefore, whether on this vital question the sympathies of Mr. Domett would not be with the northern, rather than with the southern provinces of the colony. Mr. Cautley interrupted Mr. Travers by observing that he doubted his right to address the meeting, seeing that he was not an elector of the district. Mr. Travers' attack on Mr. Domett he considered very bad taste. The Chairman considered Mr. Travers was fully entitled to address the meeting, seeing that he lately represented the district, and was again about to become a candidate for their suffrages. Mr. Travers disclaimed all intention of making any attack on Mr. Domett. So far from this, he considered that gentleman had acted perfectly right in doing what he had done ; and all he meant to say was, that he was afraid Mr. Domett would prove in feeling more a Wellington than a Nelson settler, and unfortunately on the question of the land revenue, the interests of the two provinces were antagonistic.

Mr. Catjtley said it was much to be regretted that the electors of Nelson should have to send to another province to procure a representative ; but he could vouch that Mr. Domett was in feeling as much a Nelson settler as any one present at that meeting, while the abilities possessed by that gentleman to fit him for the office could not be questioned. He was however afraid that Mr. Domett was not in circumstances to act as their representative, if elected. One of the subjects on which the Provinces of Nelson and Wellington might be at issue was the seat of Government, but he did not see that it was so desirable a thing to have the seat of Government in Nelson. Beyond the benefit it would confer on the owners of a few town acres, he could not see what advantage it would be to have the seat of Government transferred to Nelson.

Mr. M'Rae said that he had been deputed at a former meeting to wait on Dr. Monro with a requisition, requesting that gentleman to again become their representative, but he was sorry to say Dr. Monro declined 'doing so. The letter of Dr. Monro he would place in the hands of the Chairman.

The Chairman then read the following letter from Dr. Monro : — ; To Mb. "William Mcßae, and other Gentlemen

signing a requisition to me.

Gentlemen — I have to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from you asking me to act as your Representative in the next Session of the General Assembly, if for no longer. In reply to it, allow me to offer for your consideration the following views with regard to the probable course of events within (we shall say) the nexffyeaA lam not certain within what period the elect^jfthroughout New Zealand will be brought to a conclusion, but seeing that they have not yet commenced, and that our Governor has only recently arrived, and very properly seeks to make himself acquainted with the circumstances of the different provinces before calling together the representatives of the colony, I think it very improbable that the Assembly will be summoned within the next three months ; and aa that period would bring us into the middle of the busy time of harvest, we may safely assume a time still more distant, probably next March or April. When the Assembly meets it will be in the same position as at the beginning of its first session, a corps without officers, without any one to direct its deliberations, and without means of communication with the Executive excepting by the tardy process of "message."

But, even thus constituted, I expect that two questions will prominently occupy its attention, both being necessary preliminaries to the introduction of the new order of things — to a form of government which will make Executive office dependent upon the approval of the colonial representatives, bring the two departments of the State machinery into harmonious relations, and accomplish this by rendering the Executive, as in all countries not despotically governed, subordinate to the Legislature.

These two questions are, the pensioning of the old office holders, and the place of residence of the Executive Officers of the General Government.

With regard to the first point, it appears almost sufficient to say that it has been prescribed to us from home as a necessary condition of our obtaining the thing we ask for, and that it remains with the Goverto determine whether the amount of pension that we offer is sufficient or not.

It may indeed be argued that the Home Government has been acting upon a mistake, and that no patent offices for the Colony of Neio Zealand are destroyed by the introduction of Responsible Government, inasmuch as none have been in existence since 1846, when, by Lord Grey's constitution, the colony was divided into two provinces, and a separate staff of Executive officers assigned to each. From that time forward, Dr. Sinclair, though Bigning himself Colonial Secretary, was in fact a Provincial Secretary, being Secretary for the Province of New Ulster ; and Mr. Domett, whom that act called into existence as so styled Colonial Secretary of New Munster, was in fact the Secretary of that Province, or a Provincial Secretary. The patent offices of Colonial Secretary, and Attorney General of New Zealand, and others, were accordingly abolished by act of the Imperial Parliament, and in strict justice the compensation due to the holders of them should be made from that source. There was indeed in New Zealand an Office the duties of which were really those of Colonial Secretary. It was filled by the late Mr. Dillon first, and subsequently by Mr. Domett, but it was never a patent office, so far as lam aware. But there can be no doubt that the Civil Secretary as he was called was de facto the Colonial Secretary of New Zealand ; and it is not easy to see the reason why, when the present Constitution came into operation with its General Government and six Provinces, the Officer who held the situation of Civil Secretary, viz : Mr. Domett, did not become the Colonial Secretary of the new General Government. Certainly no one had a claim to the office at all equivalent to his, for he had been discharging its duties.

The question of the pensions to the old Officers, when strictly and technically viewed, undoubtedly presents these considerations, and ought not to be decided in ignorance of them. But, on the other hand, when we consider that the Home Government has pronounced a decision in this matter, and the difficulty and delay of obtaining a reversal of that decision ; when we further consider that compensation, if not technically due at the present time to these officers, nor at any time by the colonists, was nevertheless due to them in 18 16 : that virtually these gentlemen are displaced from offices which they accepted in a remote colony upon the understanding of permanent employment from the Government ; that in all other Colonies a similar proceeding has been adopted ; and above all, when we consider the magnitude of the boon we are about to obtain, and the results which may be expected to flow from it ; I should say, for my part, " don't let us haggle about technicalities," "let us pay the price," " and let us (as sailors say) take a fresh departure."

The second great question which will fall to be discussed at the next meeting of the Assembly will be, I think, the seat of Government. I am disposed to attach greater importance to this question than moat people do. It is commonly, I think, considered to be a question of secondary political importance, and viewed chiefly with regard to the character and standing which any province micjht dnrivp from ii, i. >>i a •i \,'tui.» cfau *\s; toil- .Ith. 1 tiling f,.»«n ' • ••'

XT-. — —Z " .that the location of the principal offices of Government, and the place of meeting of the Legislature, cannot fail to have a very great effect upon the work ing of representative government, and especially responsible government. If, in the pursuit of this object, we are to seek to enlist the greatest amount; of talent, it is manifestly absurd to have the seat of Gq. vernment at one extremity of the country. By this, the maximum of inconvenience is inflicted upon the representatives generally, and & political preponderance given to one province, most unfair to all the others. There can be no doubt that, place it where you will, that province will always be mosfc effectually represented which happens to be the seat of Government, and will thus obtain what may be called an undue advantage. But, by placing the seat of Government in the centre, you reduce this unfairness to its minimum ;— by placing it at the extremity of a long narrow country, without roads, you increase it to the maximum. With reference, too, to the distribution of political intelligence, it seems to me essential to the working of our present institutions that the seat of Government should be in a more central position, and I see no part of New Zealand which offers greater advantages than Nelson.

These two are questions which I think must be dealt with previous to putting the new machinery in action: supposing them disposed of, what is to be done next P A selection of responsible ministers will be made. But it is not to be expected that these men shall in the course of a few days, or even of a fortnight, prepare, arrange, and digest a well-considered scheme of policy for the country. These are questions to bo entertained which require for their solution careful and anxious study ; and although there areumdoubtedly men in the colony to whom the general outlines of these questions are not unknown, still, to be properly dealt with, they ought to be considered with all the light which an examination of documents in the public offices can throw upon them. It will be, I think, matter of much regret if the representatives of New Zealand do not give ample time for preparation to the men to whom they confide the important task of preparing measures for a session which cannot fail to have very important results. I should say, for my part, let them hare six months at least, so that when the House meets it may have the assurance of dealing with measures which shall have been weighed with all the care which their importance demands. An opposite course appears to me so unreasonable, that I cannot think it will be acted upon ; and thus, supposing I am right, beyond the two preliminary questions to which I have already adverted, the real work of legislation cannot commence in less than nine months from the present period. When I have said this, Gentlemen, I think you will not fail to perceive the nature of the answer -which I »m connpeUca to gXQ you. Havinjr made up my mind to visit Britain, after an absence of now nearly fifteen years, I am in hopes, before that time arrives, to be on my way to England. Of course, things may i/urn out very differently j but- indeed, under any circumstances, I should be unable to comply with your request, as upon the eve of such a- journey I should have bo many matters of a private nature upon my mind as to be unable to apply it to subjects of public interest.

I have to apologize to you for going out of the strict limits of an answer to your letter, but I daresay you will recognize my wish to contribute information upon subjects now of engrossing importance, and upon which the electors will probably wish to ascertain the views of the gentlemen who will offer themselves as their representatives.

I shall always reflect) with pleasure and pride upon this additional proof of jour confidence in me j and I beg of you to believe that forxariou sreasons, and especially at the present time, it is- with the most unaffected regret that I find myself compelled to decline the duty which you have in bo handsome terms requested me to undertake. I have, Ac., D. Monbo. Bearcroft, October 26,. 1855. Mr. Dickenson deeply regretted the decision of Dr. Monro, and appealed strongly to that gentleman to withdraw his letter. Dr. Monro was sorry he could not comply | with Mr. Dickenson' s wishes ; men had private as well as public duties imposed upon them, and the reasons for his return to England were of an urgent character. He (Dr. Monro) could not, however, believe that there existed such a difficulty in finding proper men to efficiently and worthily represent the district. Mr. Domett was a gentleman whom any district might be proud to call its representative, and although at present residing in another province, he was originally a Nelson settler, and had always continued so in feeling, as he (Dr. Monro) could vouch by letters which he received from that gentleman. A more honest, npright, and intelligent man was not to be found in the colony, nor was there one so well fitted by past experience to take an active part in its government. Mr. Cautley would confirm all that Dr. Monro had said of Mr. Domett, and he would add that he was also a first-rate man of business.

Mr. A. Saunders said that he was sorry to have to go out of the district for a representative ; but the most fit person (in the circumstances they were placed) for the office was Mr. C. Elliott, and he should accordingly propose the name of that gentleman to the meeting. . Seconded by Mr. Dickenson. Mr. Dale proposed the name of Mr. Travers as a fit person to represent the district. Seconded by Mr. M'Rae. Mr. Dickenson proposed the name of Mr. Domett.

Seconded by Dr. Monro.

A show of hands was then taken for the three gentlemen named, which was declared by the Chairman to be in favour of Mr. Elliott and Mr. Domett.

Mr. Elliott said he was deeply sensible of the honour intended to be done him, which, however, he would wish to be excused from accepting. The inconvenience he would suffer from a protracted absence from his business was so great, that he did not well see how he could submit to it.

Mr. Travers said that although he had not received the support of the meeting, he should come forward as a candidate to represent the district.

Proposed by Mr. Cautley, seconded by Mr. M'Rae, and carried unanimously.

" That this meeting learns with extreme regret that Dr. Monro's private arrangements will not permit him to come forward as a candidate for the representation of these districts in the approaching session of the General Assembly — a circumstance which it deplores as a heavy blow to this province and to the colony generally."

A vote of thauks was then given to the Chairman.

Motueka Provincial Election.

On Thursday last, the day for electing a member to represent the district of Motueka in the Provincial Council, to supply the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Picard, Mr. Jacka was brought forward and elected without opposition.