TO THE BURGESSES OF THE WEST WARD.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 577, 25 October 1851, Page 2

TO THE BURGESSES OF THE WEST WARD.

FELLOW CITIZENS,— The election agitation having; now arrived at something like a practical form, I feel called upon (and think it highly necessary on my part) to give some explanation in reference to the change which has taken place from the first understood plan of operation, which was suggested at the commencement of the organization of the Burgesses of the West Ward, and afterwards explained in the Independent and Operatives' Journal. The agitation having originated by the working classes, and the first Preliminary Committee having been chosen exclusively from the members of the Building Operatives' Society, the Secretary (myself) was authorised by the Preliminary Committee to convene a meeting of the Operative Burgesses of the West Ward, to arrange and mature a plan, and use their endeavours, if possible, by their numerical strength, to select and return a qualified person as their representative, as near as practicable from their own ranks. Every burgess was to have an opportunity at tbe meeting of mailing bis choice for nomination — and also of first voting for him on tbe committee and again at the public meeting. As it was to be an operative's question, it was a general understanding by the committee that the minority would agree to work with the majority for the sake of union and success. By this plan myself and the other first movers were satisfied to stand or fall. Why was it not carried forward ? Whose fault was it that the whole scheme was not put into full piactice, instead of proving a failure 1 It was not in consequence of any inattention of the members of the committee, because every one was at his post. The answer to this question, when properly considered, ought to tell most effectively in allaying any prejudice, which the property c/as.s might have previously imbibed against political power being given to the working classes. There are those— and not a few — who pretend to consider it expedient for the public good that the operative classes should be excluded from any participation in the government, except to pay and obey, and follow up fheir arguments with attempts to prove that propeity would be in danger. I trust the conduct evinced by my fellow operatives at the various committee and public meetings — so far as Auckland is concerned — will be a complete refutation of the above proposition, especially in the minds of those merchants who have taken part in our proceedings. Be it known that our minutes prove that one merchant moved, and another of his class seconded, that the question in regard to no property qualification and the suffrage remaining as it is — as expressed in the charter — be 9. proper one to be put to each candidate in order to ascertain his opinions upon them, and with tbe view, as I understood, that such candidate would be supposed to support those clauses hi the event of any attempt being made to alter them. As Secretary of the preliminary committee in the full expectation of carrying out our plan, 1 advertised for a meeting of the Operative Burgesses of the West Ward, and made every airangement with Mr. G. Smith, of the White Hart Hotel, in the encouraging hope of a good attendance. Alas, both myself and the committee were doomed to disappointment ! To our surprise there waa only a sufficient number present from which to choose another committee. All my exertions and expense on behalf of tbe committee were in a measure thrown away, purely by the inattention of tha operatives therasulveb. The feeling of those who did assemble waf tli.it tbe charter ought to be accepted and worked, and therefore, after having been agaia elected as Secretary,

I waa diiected by the fresh committee io give a more extensive and a geneial cail, through the New Zealandcr and the Southern Cross, and by placnidsand a man with a bell ; though only the former part was peifoimed, the result was a capital meeting composed of both classes. And why this diffeienci> between the fomieraud the latter meeting Because, pending the announcement to the time of meeting, news had spread that seveial respectable merchants had intimated their intention of bfling present; hence the laige assemblage of Burgesses from vaiions wards as well as our own, biought together by the countenance the property cla;-s had given to om pioceedings. Three of our respectable merchants were added to the committee, and ever since we have had the veiy best committee meetings I have had the plmsuio of witnessing, during my time in Auckland. All the candidates have been brought forward by the general committee, and eveiy one has hid fair play and pioner respect paid to him. It was understood that though members of the committee were the pioposers and seconders, they -were not pledged to vote for any one until they had heard the sentiments of the candidates themselves, after winch they would be at libeity to declare in favour of him who pleased them best, as being most suitable to repiesent their interests in the council. I have been taunted and jeered for having proposed Dr. Bennett, though done m order to keep the machinery going, of carrying foi ward the meeting properly, and of giving the Dr. an opportunity of explaining his views. Parties have said he was equal to a government officer. Hence my reason for putting my questions so pointedly, and of pushing them even to an absurdity, j It is always more easy to circulate slander than to prove it. It was admitted on all hands that if the Doctor could go frae into the Council, uninfluenced by any power which, the government might have over the yew Zealander, there was no question as to his being ever/ way qualified, and the beat we could select. The Doctor ha"ing given satisfactory answers to the following questions, 1 shall vote for him, and u^e every Ipgitimate and constitutional means to secure his return. The race will be betw ixt the Doctor and Mr. P. Dignan, — the foimer a clever, talented orator, and one who I believe will represent the interest of the Waid honestly and satisfactorily,— and the latter a plain, but very honest, good man. I don't regret myself, nor have any of the operatives any occasion to do so, in consequence of our former plan not having been canied out, — simply berause we could not select men more liberal y disposed towards the charter from our own ranks than the preterit candidates. The general committee vwll dissolve, and each man who intends to go to the poll must have his own committee composed of his friends and supporters. The committee which has existed up till aow hare not in the least sweived from their duty, nor have either favouritism or party feelings been exhibited. Questions put to Dr. Bennett— Should you be duly elected to represent the interests of the Burg,-&sfs of this Ward in the Common Council at the forthcoming elections, Ist. Would you go into the Council as an independent member? or to be more plain, would your connection as Editor of the New Zealander cause you to be under any subserviency, in the discharge of your duty, to any party or sect, or to any other influence either directly or indirectly 1 2nd. Supposing an attempt were to be made to fetter you from freely giving your opinion and vote as a member, how would you act? The best test I can give was the fact of the universal acclamation of the meeting raised by the open and plain manner in which the Doctor gave the answer, and by the said meeetmg passing the following lesolution: — "That the vaiious candidates have given proper answers to all questions put by the committee and this meeting. The Burgesses of the West Ward aie at liberty to vote for any one of the three, or any other Candidate that may be brought forward. I am, your humble Servant, WM. GRIFFIN. October 23rd, 1851.