THE REPRESENTATION OF THE WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5289, 8 March 1878, Page 3

THE REPRESENTATION OF THE WAIRARAPA.

. (From the Wairarapa RtgitUr, March 4.) It in stated that an election for a member for this district will yet be necessary before the commencement of the session, and it is therefore of course understood that Mr. Bunny will resign. It. is high time he did so, for we must confess we have no confidence in a .man who openly uses the position to which the | electors have raised him as ■ a' means for obtaining a substantial ..bargain.' It; is am insult to the electorate that -its .‘representative be ready and willing to.’ forsake it and 'Sacrifice its interests for the sake of obtaining a; remunerative billet. So far as it has gone the affair has been one of the moat disgraceful in the political history of the colony. A member who had the support of a large majority of his constituency, who was always returned! at .;.the head of the poll, on- the strength of “ services rendered during last session ” chr.ffers with a Ministry’ for' the barter of his seat for a commissionership with a fat: salary attached. Jt is found, > . upon tion, .that it is' necessary the holder of ■ the desired. . position i. should.... possess a certain > status in society, for which hia antecedents have disqualified him, ' and a substantial difficulty therefore presents itself. The member, however, clings to .the iseat for the district he has insulted by Ms actien in attempting to dispose of it for a price, and will not resign till something tangible is offered in exchange. . So far ns the affair has gone, the ■ spectacle, haa been a pitiable exhibition' of the motives! that sway, our public men in their political pursuits. . Virtually, - so far 1 as any contideratibh for '.the ’>■ interests qf| Wairarapa’•iiiooncerne'd/'Mr. ‘Bunny has| ceased to .represent us," and’ we'trast that should he not -see ’fit to-resign/ha willbe requested: to do so in ’unmistakeable toms. ’The question of his 'qualification for' tha'poeition he isetnving for Is of but'little importance 1 to us. He hos. good business,qualifications, makes ,the greatest possible 'jUse of. hia ; moreover, the‘system of strict supervision 'which prevails in Government offices ensures accuracy in ao-

counts. It is simply in the view that Representative is endeavoring to barter his Cohsti-' tuency for personal advantage that we look at the matter ; and we but utter the wish ,of the electorate when we say we trust Mr. Bunny will resign, and give the district no further trouble. , j