The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1853.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 758, 20 July 1853, Page 3

The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1853.

Be just and fear cot : Let all tne ends thou aim's! at, he thy Country’s, Thy God’s, amt Truth’s.

Before the publication of our next number, the constitution of our Provincial Council will be, to a great extent, determined. The six members for the City of Auckland, the four for the Suburbs, and the four for the Pensioner Settlements, will have been actually elected, forming, in the total, fourteen out of the twenty-four of which the Council is to be composed. The Polling for the eight members for the Northern and Southern Divisions will not take place until the jst

of next month. But as the elections which will have terminated before Saturday will embrace a clear majority of the Council, the results will afford a tolerably fair insight into the probable character and efficiency of that Bodv.

The candidates being all personally known to the great bulk of the constituencies which they seek to represent, and the office for which they compete being—unlike the Superintendency—one which each will hold in common with a number of others, and in which eligibility as a local representative may, (and, so far as it does not clash with the general interests of the whole Province, should), be deemed a weighty consideration, we have not felt it our duty to institute any comparison between the several candidates; preferring, so far as we could exert any influence in the mailer, to employ it in pointing out the general principles on which the choice should be guided, and leaving it to the electors themselves to lest by these principles the claims of the individuals between whom the selection is to be made. The importance of the office —the bencfitswhich may be anticipated from a right performance of the duties connected with it, and the injury to be apprehended if those duties be misunderstood, neglected, or sacrificed to unworthy motivesand feelings—should make every elector thoughtful, deliberate, and conscientious, in recording his vote, remembering that he, individually, will be responsible, to no small degree, for the good or evil that may flow from the conduct of the man whom he assists in placing in a position of influence and power. The voter should not merely consult Ins own interests, but the interests of community, and support the candidate best' qualified to work out the New Constitution in such a manner as to justify the extension to this colony of a system of self government, the liberality of which lias startled many, and the practical consequences of which will be watched with anxious attention far beyond the boundaries of New Zealand. In this the first election of an entirely representative assembly under its provisions, the character of the province is deeply concerned; and, in every aspect of the case, it is of great moment that the choice should light on efficient men, particularly as an error here cannot (as in the case ofan ordinary municipal corporation), be rectified at the end of twelve months, but an unfit member would be likely to continue doing no good, or perhaps doing positive mischief, for the space of four years, a term within which, in the particular circumstances of this rapidly-progressing province, repealed occasions may arise calling for more than common ability and energy. The qualifications to I desired in our representatives undoubtedly arc, general informut'on, clear and coal judgment, practical sagacity and foresight, well disciplined business habits, ability to explain, vindicate, and maintain their vie ws in debate, and, above even these requisites, independence of spirit, integrity of purpose, and a disinterested love of their adopted country, pure and strong enough to elevate them above the temptation to sacrifice the public good to private or parly ends. In that proportion in which such qualifications may be found combined in any candidate, he lias a solid claim on the support of every enlightened and truly patriotic voiler. Lower and more selfish motives should be strictly subordinated losuch claims. It is not because wc happen to be on familiar terms with a man or with some of bis family, —or because he is a pleasant neighbour or an agreeable acquaintance, —or because we have advantageous business transactions with him, —or because he belongs, or does not belong, to some particular class or station —or even because he is an obliging and kind friend, — that wcshould vole for him, if he be wanting, either absolutely or as compared with other candidates, in the qualities which would render him a valuable representative of the people. If wc arc under a debt of gratitude to a man, or if wc feel inclined to compliment him, let ns attain those objects in some manner that will affect only ourselves; but lei; us not endeavour to do it at the public expense. No man of proper views and feelings, could icish that an elector should vote for* him merely on grounds like these. We trust that the electors who arc this day to record their voles, will go to thcpoll under such convictions as wc have thus attempted to indicate. The issue must be of vast importance to the present and future welfare of the Province. One most critical and momentous stage in the introduction of the New Constitution has terminated happily in the choice of a worthy Superintendent. But the best Superintendent's power to serve the Province must be, in a great degree, dependent on the character and conduct of his Provincial Council; and the people will have done, comparatively speaking, little of real value to the well-being of the Province by the election of Colonel Wynyard, if they place around him as Councillors men who will rather thwart than support his efforts for the general good. Let the work so well begun, then, be equally well carried out by the choice of those amongst the Candidates who are most free from more party spirit, least likely to be the tools of any man or any faction, and best fitted, as well as best disposed , to make the prosperity of the Province of Auckland their single , steady , and honourable aim.