The Standard AND PEOPLES ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.) WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1875.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 293, 28 July 1875, Page 2

The Standard AND PEOPLES ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1875.

“ We shall sell to no man justice or right: W e shall deny to no man justice or right: We shall defer to no man justice or right."

Colonel Habington’s and Captain Mounts’s addresses to the electors of the East Coast appear in this morning’s issue, but beyond the fact that they inform us of the intention of these gentlemen to become candidates at the next general election, there is nothing contained within the four corners of the paper on which they are written, to indicate in what particular their services will be acceptable, or the change beneficial. This is the oue prevailing fault with most candidates for the suffrages of country 'settlers ; they do not seem to recognise the necessity for shadowing forth au outline of what they propose to substitute, by way of improvement, in gratuitously placing themselves at the disposal of the public. It is true that both Colonel Habington and Captain Mourns intend to take a straightforward course, and personally meet and propound to the electors their opinions on the many matters of public interest that are ever and auon agitating the political fabric, but, as iu the case of the East Coast Electorate, where the constituents are scattered over a large area—some of whom may never see either of the candidates, let them stump the country as much as they will—-a circulated Address is one of the principal means on which they rely for such information as will enable them to discuss these matters at all. It may be that in our own particular case there is no immediate necessity for the two candidates already announced to unfurl their colors much in advance of the commencement of the contest, for it is most probable that a political partition of the present Electorate will take place during the present session of the Assembly, in which case the Poverty Bay settlers will naturally wish to choose a man from among themselves to represent them in the next Parliament, provided, of course, that one can be found of equal calibre to any outsider or absentee who may solicit their suffrages. Upon this point we shall have further opportunities of extending our remarks as circumstances develop themselves; but, whether a redistribution of seats be made or not, a general election is inevitable, and th® ordeal must be gone through ; therefore, it is, under any circumstances, desirable that we should exemplify at least as much activity and practical interest in the conduct of our affairs as our neighbours do in theirs—with not a little of our own thrown in.

It may be held by some to be a matter of small concern as to how many compeers begin the fight, for the strongest and swiftest do not always win ; and, for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary argument, the point may be conceded without weakening or strengthening any particular phase of it; but there cannot be a doubt that a truly representative man cannot too early make himself practically acquainted with the people whose interests he desires to advocate in the Senate House; and he who leads the way as a volunteer is sure to gain many adherents to his cause who would probably not follow him if they had to press the honor upon his acceptance. Ihis is a matter of no small importance to every settler in 1 overty Bay ; and, under the peculiar circumstances of our position—whether vve have to contend against Tauranga candidates or not —every nerve should be strained to the utmost possible tension to hold our own ground, and put forth and elect a resident in the district whose interests are identical with it, and whoso advancement must necessarily be a matter of greater concern to him than to one who represents in name only, and whose purpose is, in most instances, sufficiently served in making his position a means with which to shape his owu political or official ends. We do not, in any way, suggest a disparagement of absentee representation. If we cannot find a man amongst us up to the standard of the work required of him, by all means let us seek for one outside. Already there are two such volunteers in the field, while a third candidate—Mr Moorhouse—is talked of as about to be solicited to stand to the election. . Acknowledging that there are few, if any, of our own settlers who have yet taken such a part, prominent or otherwise, in public affairs as to indicate their fitness for the higher duties of Parliamentary representation, this latter step may be a judicious one, if only for the purpose of widening the sphere of selection, and of whetting the bluntness of our own inactivity. But we would counsel caution in the mode of. procedure. First of all it should be ascertained if Mr Moobhouse would stand if nominated : Second, it should be an indispensable condition that he and every other candidate should personally visit this district and address the electors : Third, no promises of support should be given until the divisionof the district has takeu place, or after thedissolution of the present Parliament, and other candidates have had time either to come or be brought forward. There is, however, much time for delibera-

tion ; still more is there to be said, and written before this matteris brought to a prominence which its importance demands; and with these few prepatory remarks we commend it to the attentive, earnest, consideration of our fellow settlers. Since the above was in type we have been informed that Mr Moobhouse has signified, to a friend in Gisborne, his willingness to represent this constituency in the event of a division taking place in the district.