New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, JULY 23, 1877.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5095, 23 July 1877, Page 2

New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, JULY 23, 1877.

The presentation to Mr. Macandkew last Friday of 1500 sovs. was no doubt well deserved, considering the number of years he has devoted himself to public life, and, as he says himself, as his private interests may have suffered in consequence. The late Superintendent of Otago must have felt highly pleased at receiving such a valuable recognition of his past services. Few public men in this colony have figured more prominently in the political arena, and although Mr. Macandrew’s views have been often narrow and entirely onesided, the earnestness and apparent sincerity with which he has advocated those views have won for him respect even from his opponents. It is pleasant to see that public spirit in this colony is far from dead, and that a man who serves his constituents faithfully and well will reap his reward in the good opinions of those whom he serves; and perhaps, as in Mr. Macandrbw’s case, in a more substantial recognition. Expressions of appreciation and thanks may be empty phrases, but when accompanied by a gift of fifteen hundred pounds sterling there is an assurance that the praises bestowed are not hollow. Yet, at this very meeting, where five hundred people, including the leading citizens of probably the most populous town in New Zealand, are gathered together to pay a tribute to a public man such as has been seldom paid in any time or any country, Mr. Macandrew, with all the evidences, present and prospective, of prosperity around him, is despondent, and has nothing better to tell his hearers than that their progress will not be so great in the future as it has been in the past; also that that portion of the colony of which they were residents had been “snuffed out.” No bigger insult could have been levelled at the people of Otago than was conveyed in that expression. That province has hitherto been remarkable for its public spirit and a lively interest in political questions ; its representatives most assuredly have had a fair share of influence in directing the course of legislation. The strong Scotch element in the population of Otago would belie the traditions of their race if they displayed political turpitude, or allowed the large and wealthy provincial district in which they reside to suffer wrong or to be politically ignored. That Mr. Macandiiew is not satisfied with the new order of things brought about by the Abolition Act is not to be wondered at. In Otago, by clever management and coaxing of the public voice, he had succeeded for a long series of years in being the chief citizen of the province ; and consequently he was vested with great powers. That he has shown ability in the administration of the affairs of the province few will gainsay ; but we are not at all sure, considering the advantageous circumstances Otago has been placed in, that he was more successful than his brother Superintendents. Mr. Rolleston, though his term of office had been more limited, was at the least as successful in the administration of provincial affairs—with this added, that he has never wilfully set himself the task of inducing the settlers of Canterbury to believe that they were in constant danger of being robbed by their fellow-colonists elsewhere. And this is what Mr. Macandiiew unblushingly and persistently has endeavored to instil into the minds of the people of Otago. It is not for us to seek the cause of this.' It will appear tolerably clear to students of the recent political history of the colony, that no system of Government, however wisely framed and beneficent in its operation, will meet with the approval of Mr. Macandiiew, unless he is the main director of the machinery of administration in Otago. Although he does not say it in express terms, the inference from his utterances is that the Provincial District of Otago is mainly indebted for its prosperity to the manner in which Mr. James Macandrew has conducted its affairs. He has been “ snuffed out,” he says, and along with him Otago. This may be taken as the concentrated essence of his nat-row political creed. Neither the colony as a whole, nor that particular portion of it embraced within the late province of Otago, will lose anything by the extinguishm ent of that baneful influence which politicians of the stamp of Mr. Macandiiew have had on legislation during the past. That class, though loud in their professions of patriotism, are devoid of all colonial sympathy, and their views are bounded by a river, a mountain ridge, or some imaginary boundary line. The interests of this colony are common from one end to the other; and until the “ snuffing out” of the geographical parties in the General Assembly, it is feared that obstructions will be thrown in the way of useful legislation. Mr. Macandrew says he objects to Otago being made “ the milch cow of the colony.” Who is to perform the operation of milking! Certainly not its next door neighbor, the rich province of Canterbury ; Westland and Marlborough have not the power, even if they had the will. As for calm, contented, inoffensive Nelson, no danger may be apprehended in that direction. Hawke’s Bay, though a small province, has been as prosperous as Otago, is so at present, and is likely to continue so. Taranaki is under a cloud ; but any public estate that may bo acquired there will pay the colony tenfold. With regard to Wellington, let it be clearly and absolutely understood, that from Castlepoint on the East Coast to Wanganui on the West, from the most remote settlement in theManawatu country to Port Nicholson, there exists no body of men desirous of obtaining aught at the expense of Otago

or any other provincial district. As for Auckland, surely Mr. Macandrew is not frightened of his allies. Ho rows in the same boat as Sir George Grey, Mr. Sheehan; and other Auckland members, whose main political principles seem to be comprised in a vigorous and noisy opposition to anything which emanates from the Government. Mr. Macandrew, perhaps unwittingly, is fooling the people of Otago, frightening them with a shadow. There is not the slightest fear that the interests of Otago will not be preserved in the future. It has able men among its representatives —men who have as much stake in the provincial district and quite as much honesty and ability to serve the people as the late Superintendent was ever possessed of. Mr. Macandrew may not occupy the same position in the House as he held previously; but he may exercise that influence which is due to his ability, his experience, and former political standing. However, the member for all Otago has disappeared for ever, and Mr. Macandrew must be content with his position as one of the three members for Dunedin.