To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Lambton Quay, August 1st, 1853.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 835, 3 August 1853, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Lambton Quay, August Ist, 1853.

Sir, — As I consider that a member ceases to be in truth and equity the representative 'of his constituents, When his ' views and vdtes Cease to be in accordance with the united convictions and expressed wishes of the majority of the Electors, I cannot conceive how any candidate (particularly one who recognises the will of the people to be the legitimate source of all power,) can object to sign the pledge which was brought forward and carried 1 at' the meeting on Wednesday last, unless,' indeed^' lie conscientiously objects to pledging himself at all. But this was not the case with, the most vehement opponent of i«, as he spoke and vote in favour of three pledge's being laken'by every candidate.* According to Walker a representative" is "one exhibiting the likeness of another ; one exercising the vicarious power given by ano her." According to Montesquieu the people transact by their representatives what they cannot conve* niently transact for themselves. It follows that he cannot exhibit the' likeness of another who only aims to exhibit bis own ; he cannot justly exercise the vicarious power given by' others', when he refuses to fulfil the conditions which the grant of such power either expressed or implied;' and it is quite clear the people cannot transact the public business if those they choose to represent them not only do not act according to the instructions, but in direct opposition to the wishes of those who elected them. 1 Burke, who has been quoted on tbia question, is, in one sense, no doubt right. A representative should sacrifice his time, interests, and quiet for the good of his constituents, but he should not sacrifice his couscience at their bidding ; be should not vote contrary to the conviction of his own mind. He who would consent to do so, would be unworthy the character of a man', and ought, therefore, never to obtain the confidence *o.f the public. He who cannot tonsciemiously

apeak and vote in accordance with what be knows to be the general and expressed wishes of the majority of his constituents should not sacrifice bis conscience for his spat, but his sekt fur his conscience, tie should at once resign the trust into the bands of those from whom it was obtained. If what I say be correct, arid its truth acknowledged, I cannot see what objection any cadidate can' have to pledge himself to do so, particularly if he does not scruple to give pledges on other subjects. The determined objection to this particular pledge is the more unreasonable, when, as in this case, it is considered so innocent in its nature, and so mild in its result*. Admitting, for the sake of argument, that in a country like England, with its old establishedlaws, long cherished privileges, and ancient'constitution ; where the people have all along enj >yed the rights, exercised the privileges, and performed the duties of freemen, the .representative should not pledge' himself to resign his seat on the request of his constituents, still I maintain that in a new country like this, wherefour years may witness great, rapfd, and important changes in the number and circumstances of the inhabitants ; with new-born privileges — infants as most of us are in electioneering experience ; and with the opportunity, only, of selecting .for-* our representatives untried, unskilled, and, for •ought we- know, unfit legislators, and these chiefly from qneyjclass, of, so,cie_ty,— and tljat not the most numerous nor the least, dependent class — I maintain, such being the case, that iti * absolutely essential fur the. practical adoption, and faithful working of our Representative Institutions for the people to insist that the forfeiture) of the confidence of the Electors shall be immediately followed by the forfeiture of a member's seat. Let me not, however, from what I have saM, be misunderstood. I woujd on subjects of a general nature give to the opinions of the representative considerable weight, and to the distinguished office he held I should certainly be disposed to allow some discretionary power. On general subjects, and on those on which no decided opinion had been given by his constituents, I should wish him to be free to exercise' his own impartial judgment, and to vote after the question had been discussed according to the degree of weight which" the "arguments and evidence had on his own mind. But there are subjects on which he ought to be decided ; subjects on which he ought to have fixed opinions ; questions which he ought to be' prepared to pledge himself to support before being honoured with the confidence of the Electors. For this reason I would rather that each candidate had been calle.l upon ' to pledge himself to support such questions, or, if he could not consistently do so then to resign his seat ; than to be called upon merely to pledge himself on, tins one question of resignation in the event of loss of confidence. In this opinion, too, 1 think the meeting, or at least a large majority of the meeting coincided. Permit me in. conclusion, and as an Elector, to express a hope that every successful candidate will.be found to suppoit the Governor's land and pastoral regulations ; a Land Tax ; the repudiation of the Company's debt, pending a f re-examination of its claims ; the making of v trunk roads.,. a.ud the repair of .tho.se flljready •. maderj° the establishment of public s'eliofcls t aud "' the appointment of an Inspector of weights and measures. I am your obedient servant, R» WAKELIN.