The Invercargill Times FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1863.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 62, 12 June 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1863.

Tt is definitely settled that there shall he a contested election for the Waihopai District. Four jjentlemen have been found who consider Mr. Duncan M'Arthnr "a fit and proper per on fo be put in nomination for a seat in the Provincial Council of Southland ; and Mr. Duncan M'Arthur says that, under the eirc umstances, he considers himself greatly honored, and is willing to allow duty to outweigh more personal feelings : he is s;oin«: to pl.ice himself entirely in the hands of his backers, who pledge themselves to do their utmost to secure his return. If we were to believe all that Mr. M'Arthur says in answer to the " numerously" signed requisition which has been potent enough to draw him from his dignified retirement, — if we were t<) take him at his own valuation, — we should be inclined to think a Daniel had come to judgment ; but, unfortunately, we find ourselves compelled to accept his f-tite-ments very cautiously, and to doubt whether he has acted wisely in allowing himself to think that he is in any way qualified for a legislator. Mr. M'Arthur says that " the position Southland occupies requires that her legislators should be men of experience, energy, and ability." We think so. too, and therefore believe that the choice of the Electors ought to fall, and will fall, upon different shoulders than his. It is possible we may he mistaken in our estimate of the candidate whose merits we are discussing, and look forward rather anxiously for the day when, as he remarks, the Electors will (D.V. ) have an opportunity of ascertaining his views more fully. The "experience of upwards of thirty years' political warfare has taught Mr. M'Arthur " that no man j who, without fear or favor, advocates ; what he believes to be light, can avoid the loss of much private friendship: " he might also have learnt, whilst passing through (he above horrible period o! disquietude, that the loss of the private friendship is often effected without the accomplishment of a corresponding amount of public good, and his native modesty might have taught, him that such would probably be his own case, should he evi.r be so Unfortunate as to squeeze himself into a position where his views mieht possibly be heard. It would have been an unwarrantable and most unprofitable proceeding on our part to have spoken so strongly of Mr. M'Arthur, had he remained "quiet; 1 ' but whoever puts himself forward, or allows himself to be put forward, as a candidate for legislative honors, becomes as it were public property, and must rest content to have his actions, his talents, and his influence freely criticised. We are exercising a right, and fulfilling a duty at the same time, when we state it as our conviction that Mr. M'Arthur is altogether unfit (or the Provincial Council. We object to him, because his opinions would carry no weight — because his education does not entitle him to rank with the class of men who must for the future be returned to the Council ; and, more strongly yet, we object to him because he fills a situation which renders it probable that an objectionable influence might be brought to bear on his votes.