The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1879.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 450, 6 August 1879, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1879.

In the event of Parliament being dissolved, the Egmont District seat will be contested by Major Atkinson (present member), Mr G. P. Sherwood (Carlyle), and Mr F. McGuire (Hawera). We shall not at present dwell upon the qualifications or otherwise of these gentlemen, but shall await their addresses to the electors, when we will endeavor to do that which is right in the interests of the County. Some people are of opinion that a local newspaper is bound to support a local man, simply because he happens to be a local man, but we shall certainly not pledge ourselves to anything of tho sort. One of the grandest privileges of a Briton is that he is a free man, but Mr Sherwood seems to have overlooked this fact at a meeting held in his favor on Saturday evening, when he condemned personally those gentlemen who signed the requisition calling a meeting of Major Atkinson’s supporters. We cannot see anything unreasonable in this step, for wU presume that all candidates have their committees, and it is not at all likely that if the gentlemen calling the meeting wished to discuss private matters, that they would be anxious to show their cards to the opposition. Nevertheless, Mr Sherwood spoke truly when he said—“ It behoves the whole of the electors to be thoroughly acquainted with the intentions of the candidates before committing themselves to definite pledges.” We would try and impress this fact very strongly Upon the minds of the electors, for many a man has been sorry for having pledged his vote months before an election came off. He afterwards finds out by comparison that his confidence has been misplaced, but rather than break his word, will vote for a man he has no faith in. Let every man be his own judge of the gentleman he will support, after having heard both sides. No doubt a local man would be preferable to an outsider; but the question is, will the district benefit itself by putting in a local man ? If so, by all means let it be done. On the other hand, if, according to the belief of electors, a local member is not desired, then by all means do not have one. We trust to see a fair and honest contest, and we feel assured the electors will return the right man.

There is a good old maxim about the strength which unity gives, and we should like to see it acted upon by our sporting friends. Simultaneously with our report of the half-yearly meeting of the Patea District Jockey Club, appeared areport from our Waverley correspondent, stating that a Eacing ( Club had been formed there in conjunction with Waitotara. The object appears to have been so far well supported, and under able management we have not the slightest doubt that tbe newly organised Club will rise in public estimation, and become one of the leading racing institutions on this coast. We shall accord onr support so long as it continues to hold a position worthy tbe name of such flourishing districts ; but we must say, however, that we regret that the spirit of rivalry has become so marked between tbe members who compose it and those of our own district Club. Co-operation between these districts would have been much more preferable in onr opinion, as union and joint action will invariably work for good in matters of this kind ; It has yet to be proved whether or hot these districts are capable of supporting two passable meetings, but it might reasonably bo expected that a really first-class re-union would be held annually it both

Clnbs would unite their forces. We would suggest the amalgamation of the two Clubs, and if it be found that the public would encourage the holding of two meetings annually, then let the Club go in for a Spring and an Autumn Meeting, holding one on the Waverley racecourse, and the other on the Carlyle convincing ground. By these means oiir district race gatherings would obtain a much more wide-spread influence and popularity than they can under any other system of management expect to wield, at least, for some years to come. We should regret to see the growth of one Club be the downfall of the other, but knowing that the Waverley and Waitotara settlers started the new Club owing to the unwillingness of the Patea Jockey Club to hold the Annua) Meetings in turn on the two courses, a large amount of support must be withdrawn from the old established Club, which will be more or less weakened thereby. Indeed, we notice that the Patea District Jockey Club has arranged a programme for its October Meeting on a far less liberal scale than that held in February, As we are not inclined to be 'uncharitable, we will suppose that this result has been brought about by a desire to keep within the bounds of prudence while the financial position of the country is in such an unhealthy state. Whatever the cause, we must again urge the suggestion on our sporting readers. Let the spirit of antagonism at once give place to that of friendship and unity—which, well thinking persons must admit, ought to be recognised in these and all kindred matters —and the desideratum will be attained.

The Government party are accustomed to speak of the obtaining of a dissolution by the Premier as a great triumph, and as a check-mate to the Opposition. That this is very far from being the correct view of the case will be apparent to those who consider how completely it was in the power of the Opposition to prevent the dissolution taking place. The dissolution was gi'anted on the understanding that the Government succeeded in obtaining supplies from the House. Had the Governor dissolved Parliament without any such stipulation, on him would have rested the responsibility of leaving the civil servants without pay, and of producing general disorganisation in the business of the colony. Being, of course, unprepared to undertake any such responsibility, he stipulated that Parliament should make a will before its dissolution, providing for the public wants. Failing such a will, no dissolution could constitutionally take place. If, then, the Opposition had refused supplies, the Government, if they did not resign, would have been dismissed, and Sir William Fox would have been called upon to form a Cabinet. The constitutional question was well argued by Sir William in the very temperate speech he made on the situation on Friday last. Referring to the Governor’s letter granting the dissolution, he said “ that it required to be read, and carefully read, by the light of the correspondence which had taken place between Lord Carnarvon and the, Governor of New South Wales on this very question of a dissolution and the question of supplies. In that case a dissolution had been granted subject to the condition of supply. Having read that correspondence carefully, he had come to the conclusion that His Excellency, having provisionally agreed to a dissolution, could not allow such dissolution to take place without supply, without first exhausting every combination for the formation of a new Ministry. In New South Wales this was done. A dissolution was asked for, which the Governor refused to agree to unless supplies Were first granted. Communication was then opened with the other side of the House, and for a week an effort was made to form a new Ministry, but without success. The leader of the Government then asked His Excellency to relieve him from his position, and Sir Hercules Robinson, having exhausted every combination to form a Ministry, could no longer refuse to grant the dissolution. Looking at the correspondence of the other night, he could not but read the positions of the two colonies one with the other, and see that it was unconstitutional to dissolve without granting supply under circumstances such as those he had stated.” To us the case of the two colonies appear to be parallel, with this exceptional! at the New Zealand Opposition would not have failed to form a Government. Clearly, then, the party headed by Sir W. Fox had power within their roach. Had they been willing to see the colony subjected to the inconvenience and the humiliation to which it would have been subjected by tho death struggle of Greyism, they might have avoided the trouble and risk of a General Election. By simply using their power of opposing the Government as long as circumstances might require, they could, as far as office was epneerned, have “ made assurance doubly sure, and taken a bond off fate.” But in spite of the sneers of those who charge them with simply seeking their own good and not that of the country, the Opposition were patriotic enough to allow all that was needful to secure the public from unnecessary inconvenience to be done. While having it in their power to seize the reins of Government and carry out their own policy, they, like good men and true, allow the country to decide upon what policy it desires to be followed, and upon whom shall fall the task of carrying it out. In this conduct we recognise neither office seeking nor fear to meet the constituencies. But the Government supporters, lacking the courage to acknowledge their hopeless condition, and the candour to do justice to their opponents, fill the air with shrieks. They have a grievance because, forsooth, the Opposition, haring beaten them on the first question of the session, will not allow them before dissolving, to carry out the whole programme, in the ‘‘ direction” of which, Under ordinary circumstances, they Would have been travelling for some years to come. The chief trouble at present experienced in getting ready for the dissolution, is the absurd position that the Government wish to assume during the interval between the old and the new Parliaments. The hon.

members wh'd have defeated the Government by a crushing majority, naturally think that the discretionary powers of the Ministry should be as circumscribed as possible. They wish it to be understood and felt that a No Confidence motion has really been carried, and that the Government is not trusted out of sight. That this is the legal positioiKpf the Grey party is unquestionable, but those redonbtables can’t see it.