THE STANDARD. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1873.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 87, 13 September 1873, Page 2

THE STANDARD.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1873.

“ We shall sell to no man justice or right: We shall deny to no man justice or right: We shall defer to no man justice or right.”

News from the South by the Paterson on Thursday last is remarkably barren of interest, if we may except a few items of Parliamentary intelligence, and they, if interesting, are far from being satisfac-

tory. Foremost amongst those connected more immediately with Poverty Bay is the presentation to the House of two petitions by Mr. Kelly;—one praying that the settlers may have a fair share of revenue expended in this district, —the other urging that Henake Matua’s petition for a Native Lands Commission, be not entertained.

Mr. Williamson also presented a petition praying that compensation be given to the Poverty Bay settlers for losses sustained during native disturbances. Major Atkinson followed suit, asking that a specific sum of £25,000 be awarded to the Patea settlers for similar losses. From the telegrams to hand, we fail to discover the fate of all these, but Mr. M‘Lean’s and Mr. Vogel’s remarks sufficiently indicate what little of practical good is likely to result, y as the Government evidently do not favor the proposals. Major Atkinson’s determination to “ bring down a case every session, “ as success attended persistence,” will serve to keep the wedge in, until such times as the log requires rolling again. It seems, so far as our information will lead us to judge, that many opportunities presented themselves to members to make terms with ministers this session. Not a single question of any moment; not a single Bill of importance, has been carried, but through the combined influence of “ caucuses ” and “ log-rolling and, the latter especially, is, according to Mr. Bunny, “so good for the country” that we naturally wonder why it was not made use of in the promotion of these objects. According to the accepted code of political morality, an honorable member has the power of making his vote valuable, not so much on account of the merits of the question at issue as the partizan assistance he may be able to give to any mushroom “ party ” formed for the accomplishment of a given object. Had Mr. Williamson made a stand on the principle involved in the prayer of the petition before the Provincial Loan Bill passed its second reading, he would have moved a powerful lever; but the delight of impecunious ultra provincialists, in suddenly having powers given to them which but last year would have been held to be visionary, was too great; and the dear hope of a province,—declared by its Superintendent to become “bankrupt by December next,” unless some assistance came, — being saved a repetition of the horrors of soup-kitchen poverty of past years, was so soon to be realized that the lesser question of sustaining a principle by firmness, was lost sight of. As matters stand now we may look upon the petition of the Poverty u„.- —A-i—

Judge Richmond’s report on the Hawke’s Bay Commission has been presented to the House, and as an able exposition, is very satisfactory, especially as it entirely relieves Messrs. M‘Lean and Ormond from using their political influence in any dishonorable way, connected with land purchases.

The Native Lands Bill, and the new Licensing Bill were still before the House, which, as the principal business of the Session was over, would probably be prorogued about the 20th inst.