OTAGO PUBLIC OPINION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4834, 19 September 1876, Page 2

OTAGO PUBLIC OPINION.

The following letter from Mr. Larnach, in reply to that addressed by electors of Dunedin to their representatives in Parliament, a copy of which appeared in our issue of yesterday, has been handed to ns for publication : Wellington, 18th September.

“ Gentlemen, —Having noticed in this morning’s New Zealand Times a letter purporting to be addressed to myself and colleagues, as representatives of your city, in reference to our political action during the present session, I take the earliest opportunity of stating that while I regard your several opinions on most matters political of very great weight at all times ; yet I feel, on the present occasion, being on the spot I am more favorably situated than you possibly can be to judge fairly and prudently of the political situation here; and as it is my intention to continue—as I have done in the past—to act and vote in the direction I may consider most beneficial for the best interests of my constituents and the colony of New Zealand as a whole, I am not likely to be swayed by newspaper or other reports, although I shall always be happy to receive suggestions and good wishes from any of you.—l remain, &c., W. J. H. Larnach. To Messrs. E. B. Cargill, J. Rattray, Bobt. Wilson, Walter Guthrie, H. S. Pish and others, Dunedin. BY TELEGRAPH. (FROM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Ddnedin, Monday. The Times is silent. The following is from the Star :—“ No measure, whether important or not, should be allowed to pass without being subjected to close analytical criticism, but this process differs widely from that factious determination to oppose everything proposed by the Government which characterises the insane conduct of Sir George Grey, Rees, and others. They well know that the disputed point of alleged breach of the Disqualification Act cannot alter the position of parties, and they should know that their conduct must eventually lead to an alienation of those of their supporters who are not tainted with the same suicidal mania as themselves. We offer no opinion on the subject; that only a court of law can decide. The common sense view of the matter is that if the provisions of the Disqualification Act really bear upon the past formation of the Ministry, it can but apply to two members. Is it fair to the country that public business should be paralysed, and everything thrown into confusion by a factious few in Parliament, who really seek to gain no point whatever by causing this embarrassment 1 It the Act were infringed, the technical blunder was corrected, and the House placed in a position to transact public business, when the Ministry, yielding to the

objection, reduced their number to that insisted on by Sir George Grey. The concession ought to have satisfied him and his party, and business should have been allowed to be proceeded with. Nothing is likely to result from this senseless proceeding on the part of Sir George Grey's faction but the knitting together of the Government party and a considerable addition to their numbers. Every move the Opposition takes tends to prove their utter inability to conduct the affairs of the country, and to show that nothing but misfortune could result from their accession to power. It is absurd to suppose that were the Government to present themselves for re-election they would be rejected by their constituencies. The very same reasons that existed for their return at the last election have acquired additional force by the unseemly exhibition now performed.” Referring to the letter from the electors to the Dunedin members, the Star says—“ It exhibits a wholesome public opinion, and is not issued a moment too soon.”