New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4838, 23 September 1876, Page 2

New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23.

The telegrams from Dunedin are both amusing and instructive. Wo learn from them that Messrs. Macandbew and Stout contemplate resigning their seats in the House. At the same time we learn (wo presume as a portion of the same scheme of strategy) that the “Political Committee,” whatever that may be, highly disapproves of the letter of Messrs. Caudill, Fish, and others. That certainly does not surprise us, for of a truth, that letter was calculated to astonish the weak nerves of the busybodies and noboclies who so largely make up political committees and political meetings just now in Dunedin, These

gentry are, it appears, to receive a further shock to their sensibilities in the shape of another letter of remonstrance from the electors of Roslyn, addressed to Mr. A. Burns, their member, aiid-protesting against factious opposition and talking against time in the House. Once more let us say we are especially pleased these very proper protests should come from Dunedin ; they show that the sensible and sober part of the people there are thoroughly disgusted with' the way in which their members have abused and are abusing their functions. But the distinguished “ Unknowns ” who constitute the “ Political Committee ” want “to provide for the worst by concerting measures for our own protection through the medium of the Provincial Council, or otherwise.” Now, what does this meanl Is it mere rhodomontade ; or is it an open incentive to rebellion 1 The Provincial Council is by law forbidden to meet; it is, in fact, a thing of the past. Do these people really wish Mr. Macandebw to commit himself to an open act of daring illegality and disloyalty 1 We fancy tha whoever else may be fools, Mr. Macandrew is much too canny to become the tool of these wiseacres. These gentry, after condemning the action of the remonstrants as unwarrantably interfering with the freedom of action of the members for the city, coolly go on themselves to do the very thing they condemn in others. After requiring the members to desert their posts in the Assembly, they are pleased to enjoin that before leaving they are to make an important intimation. “ Let it be clearly understood,” say they, “ that whatever measures affecting the welfare of this people may be agreed to, they will not undertake that such measures shall be respected by the people of this province.” “This people,” forsooth ! And “they will not undertake !” Truly this people are a peculiar people—a parochial people—a narrow-minded people —a selfish greedy people, who are doing what they can to draw upon them the merited contempt of all right-minded persons in the colony. Does “this people” imagine that it is a matter of agreement or undertaking whether they shall at their goodwill and pleasure accept or reject the measures passed by the representative Assembly of the colony, in accordance with the same Constitution about which they prate so glibly, but about which they care so very little when its action happens to grate upon their prejudices 2 We have a notion that means will be found to make “ this people ” respect the laws of the land passed by a majority of the representative Assembly. They have had a full opportunity of electing their own representatives thereto, and after these representatives have enjoyed a free play of freedom of speech to persuade and convince their fellow-mem-bers, and, if they could, bring them over to their way of thinking, “this people” will not undertake, will not respect, and so on. Does “ this people” really understand or care a single straw about the representative Constitution under which for twenty years we have lived 1 Is it not a government by majorities, and do they not elect their own representatives by majorities ? We were under an impression, and we have some difficulty in getting rid of it, that “this people,” great, powerful, and puffed up though they may be in their own conceit, always were, and are still, an integral part of that Empire over which Queen Victoria' does really and effectually reign, and that if “this people ” will wantonly set that Royal Lady’s laws at defiance, she actually does even in this remote sea possess the means ot making— we say plainly making —this people respect those laws. If it come to this, all “ undertakings ” will be at once set aside as not to the purpose, and “ takings ” will take their place. We really do fear, all the grandiose importance of “ this people” to the contrary notwithstanding, that things would come to this. If we were not tenderly careful of wounding the self-esteem and detracting from the credit which the “Political Committee” clearly give themselves for political and all other wisdom, we should in a most brotherly spirit advise them not to try this little game. If they only want to indulge in a little bit of bounce, to dance a reel or so of a war dance, there can be no harm in that. It will work off the high pressure they have got on, and will calm down their excited feelings. But really we hope they will take it in good part—we mean them well. It is not only pleasant but wholesome for people who are ordinarily sober to play the fool sometimes; but let it go no further, or the consequences may be unpleasant. If Messrs. Macandrew and Stout see that their little game is played out here and want to get back to their business, here is an excellent chance for doing so with a good grace, and in the name of peace, and with every good omen and vows and prayers to gods and goddesses, let them go. They will be missed badly no doubt, but it will be with thanks to the powers above for a great and unexpected mercy.