The Southland Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 212, 5 February 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1866.

Fob a considerable time past the public and the press of Southland have demanded a fairer share of Eepresentation in the Parliament of the Colony than hitherto enjoyed. More than one resolution on the subject has been unanimously passed . yet, Session after Session of the G-eneral Assembly has been prorogued without the object of our hopes being attained. At last, thanks to the energetic exertions of our member, Mr. Dillon Bell, we are placed in a somewhat fairer position than we have hitherto occupied. The Province is now called upon to elect three members, in addition to the representative they now possess — a host in himself; and it remains with the electors of the various districts to prove by their choice of gentlemen as representatives whether they are deserving of that which they have so long sought to obtain. All Colonial experience goes to prove that one of, if not the greatest, difficulties a young country has to surmount, in obtaining what is generally considered a great boon — self-government — is to find the elements of it within itself. There can now be but little doubt that the constitution of Q-reat Britain is byrfar the best adapted for ensuring safety at home and honor abroad. To quote Mr. Justice Blackstohe upon the subject : — " Here " there is lodged the sovereignty of the " British Constitution, and lodged, as " beneficially as possible for society. For i "in no other shape, couldwe.be so certain i " of finding the three great qualities of I M government so well and so happily i " united." By which we gather from < hia previous works, he means, M the j '■ fMk virtue of a tiwwwfi the b

" wisdom of an aristocracy, and the " executive power of a monarchy, are " all secured, all working harmoniously " for the public weal." In the Colonies, we may doubtless find the " public virtues " mixed possibly, with a not inconsiderable portion of tbe alloy of personal aggrendisement ; the " wisdom of " an aristocracy — the result of education, " birth, and independent means," is yet more difficult to meet with. The Colony of New Zealand, along with other of Britain's dependencies, has sought for and obtained the privileges of a government similar to that under which their forefathers have lived, flourished, and been honored ; and Southland will shortly be called upon to contribute her quota to the G-eneral Legislative wisdom of the Colony. That we can do so with credit to ourselves and benefit to the community vwe havo little doubt, if the electors of the various districts choose to exert themselves. To aid them to so desirable a result, we will point out what we consider a few of the most important and necessary qualifications of any candidate who may offer himself for election. Although a seat in the Provincial Council may be considered, and very properly, a stepping-stone to the higher honor of a seat in the General Assembly, it must not be forgotten that the position in the latter is far more onerous, and to be of benefit to us calls for the possession of higher qualifications. The number of members to be returned is limited, consequently all must be good — to carry political weight all must be united — to have influence all must possess a recognized social position. That the mental calibre of our representatives should be of as high an order as possible few will question. The position which Southland occupies at the present moment, in comparison with the other Provinces of .New Zealand, is anomalies, and owing to the not unnatural jealousies, fostered by the system of Provincialism, is misrepresented, dyed with all the prismatic coloring with which our neighbors, looking through their spectacles of self-aggrandisement and laudation, view her. To have justice done, our representatives must be men able to refute the culumnies which brazen-faced assurance, and we fear, in some cases, mendacity, has in past Sessions cast against vs — with power and ability, and local knowledge, to carry weight in the defence. That it is o£ -the gxvu. vu »~ .. — r .mv va. Aj-ioi-iruerS should be united must be patent to all. It is unnecessary for us to recapitulate the the thrice-told tale of the bundle of sticks, when tied together — the case of the Soman Lictors, &c, — carrying power. We have evidence enough of the advantage of coalition in the past history of the Assembly, when the "three E's" ultimately carried the question of the Seat of Grovernment, not because it was to the advantage of the Colony, but because the Wellington members voted as one man? At the present moment, we understand, there is an association being formed in Otago for the purpose of ensuring the return of members pledged to vote on the same side in the Assembly, upon the questions which are deemed of high importance in that province. If, in so large a representation as that enjoyed by Otago, it is considered of importance that there should be no dissentions in the camp, how much more necessary is it that all our representatives should be of one mind ? The balance of parties in the Assembly has up to the present time been so equally adjusted, that an unit has inadvertently turned the scale. t With an unbroken phalanx of four, we may hope to command justice from the Opposition. In selecting oar members, therefore, care should be taken that they are men amenable to' reason, and who will be inclined to ignore private whims or prejudice for the general good. To return men who delight in "contradiction for its own dear sake," regardless of the superior knowledge ana. experience of a colleague, is simply and virtually a dis-franchisement of the Province, and render nugatory the advantage arising from an extended struggle, which has only been obtained after a severe contest. The last qualification — social status —is too self-evident a necessity to need much comment. If we cannot send men who have already done service in past political struggles, and achieved a reputation in the political arena, we can secure the aid of men of social mark and known reputation, who cannot be stigmatised as adventurers, who seek a political consideration. -After all the battles to be fought— as often ■ outside the house as in it — and although j : there is less of the panoply of wax — the ] victory, when gained, iB quite as satisfac- 1 tory, and is most unquestionably more I easy of attainment. At the next Session , of the G-eneral Assembly, the battle of j Separation of the two Islands must be £ fought out j—in tbe course of which, * doubtless, many schemes wUI be hatched, j amongst those that of Mr. James Macan* \ phew, for the annexation of this Province j

to Otago. Whatever the result, we xmißt have men of weight and mark to do battle for Southland.