The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1875.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 324, 13 November 1875, Page 2

The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1875.

" 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.”

“ Coming events cast their shadows before them,” and so does the forthcoming election. It is quite evident from what’is transpiring in various parts of the colony, that there is a determination on the part of the people to effect an improvement in our future Parliamentary representation, by electing more eligible men for that position than has yet been generally done. Hitherto a most culpable laxity has characterised the action of many constituencies in this respect, and the baneful results of this abuse of political privileges are now so glaringly patent that reform is imperatively needed. The country has, unfortunately, too long contented itself with inferior representation ; but the march of progressive intelligence has produced such a revolution in public opinion that it can no longer afford to entrust the management of its legislatorial affairs to men totally unfit for the work, as many of the members of the present Parliament undoubtedly are. The altered circumstances of the colony, consequent upon the Abolition of the Provinces, will, of course, throw greater responsibilities upon the new Parliament than either the present or any past Parliament has had occasion to bear ; and, unless competent men are chosen for the work, we shall not have any occasion to congratulate ourselves upon the auspicious opportunity which now presents itself for bettering the condition of our adopted country —an opportunity, let it be remembered, which only occurs quinqueunially. Unless the duration of Parliaments happens to be shortened—aud of this there is no certainty whatever—the men whom we elect to represent us in March next, shall retain their seats for five years, so that it behoves us to do justice to ourselves, whilst it is in our power to do so. Past experience has, it is to be hoped, taught us to value the possession of representative institutions more than we haveeveryet done, and if so, it, necessarily, concerns us to prepare ourselves for the coming event, and to demonstrate by. our action that we are fit to exercise the franchise. From the large number of candidates that have been already spoken of, as likely to contest the ensuing election, both in the South and North Islands, it may be clearly inferred that there will be abundance of men to select from—more so, we believe, than have ever offered themselves for public honors at any previous election. This unmistakably indicates the interest that is being taken in political matters on the occasion of an important crisis in the affairs of New Zealand. The East Coast electorate, we are glad -to notice, is not likely to go a begging for members. A telegram from Tauranga—which appears in another column—announces the names of no less than seven gentlemen who are said to be candidates for the representation of our constituency. Amongst these the name of Sir George Grey figures, and although we are fully aware that he is a staunch supporter of this district, and deplores the injustice to which it has been subjected, principally through the negligence of the sitting member, yet we are somewhat disinclined to believe—■ until we obtain further information on the subject — that he has already made up his mind to become a bona fide candidate for the East Coast. The constituency he now represents being one of the largest in the colony, and one, too, which holds him in the highest possible estimation, it would, we think, he discourteous on his part to abandon it, when there is every reason to believe it would be sure to re-elect him. If, however, it turns out that it is Sir George Grey’s intention to seek our suffrages,

his candidature cannot but be regarded as oue of which we ought to be proud. Unquestionably fit as Sir George Grey is to represent any constituency, we do not, by any means, wish to insinuate that he should be chosen by us above all others, although at the same time we are confident that, in the event of his consenting to stand, he would be an attraction to a majority of the electors, even against a competent local man. What we have always inculcated, and what we still intend to do, is that the electors should, after becoming thoroughly acquainted with the vipws of the candidates, select the most eligible of them, aud tote for him and no other, so as to ensure his return. Without this unanimity and co-operation the best intentions of the electors may possibly be frustrated, and the seat may thus be obtained by a man who is not really the choice of the people. It is now upwards of six months since the candidature of two of the gentlemen now in the field for the East Coast, has been;! publicly announced, but as yet neither of them have condescended to address the electors, or favor them with their political views. To expect any support from a constituency treated in so indifferent a manner, would be the height of absurdity. Do candidates imagine that the electors will exercise the franchise in their ’favor without first knowing what their principles are ? If they do they are egregiously mistaken. Let the candidates—if candidates they intend to be —come forward at once and let us hear what they have got to say, so as to give us an opportunity of judging for ourselves as to their merits, and of making up our minds as to whom we should accord our support. It is not improbable that some of the candidates labor under the delusive idea that the electors should return them without any effort on their own part; and if they do we pity them for thus misleading themselves. The candidates must prove by their own personal exertion and exhibition of their qualifications, that they are worthy of the support which they seek, and anyone who, from whatever motive, declines to give this proof of his eligibility, ought to be scornfully rejected. “ The greatest insult,” says Mr. Gladstone, “ that a candidate can offer to a constituency is to withhold from the electors, when it is required, an exposition of his views on matters affecting the concerns of the nation, and which it is the duty of every legislator to study.” Theex-Pre-mier, of England himself, has always practised what he has inculcated, and was never known to have either modified or concealed his views when contesting an election ; and we call upon candidates for the Erst Coast electorate to pursue a similar course. The electors must also arouse themselves, and not remain longer in the miserable dormant state they seem to be in, in respect to their best interests. The time of the election is fast approaching, and if they are not “ up and doing,” the part they will play in the coming struggle will, we fear, be a sorry part.