THE EAST COAST ELECTORATE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 331, 8 December 1875, Page 2

THE EAST COAST ELECTORATE.

An intelligent correspondent writing to the New Zealand Herald from the Bay of Plenty, under dale the 20ih ultimo, makes the following pertinent remarks in reference to the election of a member for the East Coast“ 1 expect we shall have a sharp tight when the next election comeson. lam undecidedutpresent; J have had no opportunity of exchanging ideas with anyone who could give me any advice or information, except men who are, more or less, beholden to the present Government for their bread and butter. I should like to see men returned who would require a stricter account to be given as to the working of the Native Department. Also, to have alterations in our land laws, so as to give old residents in the colony and their children similar advantages to those offered to immigrants. But I require to know who are the candidates, and what their policy’ is, before. I can give any promise. One thing is certain: that there are several matters of paramount importance on which ought to pull together, and, sinking minor political differences, return men who are not the sicoza or bought agents cf the present Government. “It is time that the Bay of Plenty people made their voices heard. If there was more unison of action and a more enlarged and enlightened conception of the duties devolving upon us as the pioneer settlers in this district, we should compel the Government to grant us that position and weight which, as yet, they have refused, and then, this, which is one of the most, favoured spots in the colony, would speedily take its place amoug the leading agricultural disiricts of the Worth Island, All, I think, depends upon the voice of the people in the next eleclion. Members, when returned are simply confidential servants of the people, and, if we elect or choose men who will go forward and sell our birthright, who will embezzle the rights of their constituents and then gamble them away, —-men who, to use the words of Edmund Burke, allow a blind partiality, or as blind a hatred to individuals, to colour and influence all their actions, then we have only ourselves to thank or blame for the evils that the next few years will perpetuate and increase in the colony. I believe that there are many who agree with me that it is time this ‘ fawning ’ to our members was done away with, and that we should require them to meet their constituents publicly before and after the Assembly’, so as first, to enable them to learn their requirenents, and then to repeat what they have Jone towards inducing the Government to meet them. The public know well how to value a good servant, and good service brings respect. However, I am rather doubtful if, when you have read these unconnected remarks, you w ’j. . ’ 3S a bl B to say, ‘ What are my’ political sentiments ?’ In conclusion, let me assure you that in my choice of a candidate I shall support no Hind supporter of the present Government,’but some one of pure, honest, and independent principles ”