The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 225, 7 March 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1866.

The nomination of candidates for the Representation of Invercargill takes place to-morrow, and the poll on the following day. ¥e have already expressed the deep import we attached to the result of the election of members for the General Assembly — that at the present crisis a mistake made might lead to evils which years would fail to remove. The greatest aud most complicated questions will require to be debated, and those connected with Southland are to this community the most important of all. It is not sufficient that because a man with a tolerable good knowledge of Provincial history is ambitious of distinction that he would be capable of usefulness at the present time. Such a man might, and would be an eligible candidate under ordinary circumstances — with fair political instincts and a desire to benefit the province— he would doubtlessly in time gain a position, and do good service. Still, he would require to cease to be an apprentice-hand before he could expect to I have weight in the General Assembly. Perhaps the most trying ordeal which a man can undergo — to come through the fire unscorched — is a maiden speech upon an important subject before an assemblage of venerable senators. It is a parliamentary maxim, that a man must be a star," to have the snfallest influence in the Legislature of any country in less than a year of silent watching and persistent study. There are two candidates in the field — Mr. T. Heale and Mr. W. Wood. Both gentlemen have some qualities required, and also objections can be advanced against each. Mr. Heale is a man of large experience and varied acquirements. He has had considerable Governmental training, having been for a period a member of the General Assembly, and one of the Executive of Six, who were entrusted with the initiation of Responsible Government, upon the passing of the New Constitution Act. He is undoubtedly a well-read and talented man. Few know better the wants and the requirements of Southland- — its complications and difficulties ; its present depression and future prospects. In many parts Mr. Heale is an eligible candidate ; he is a good speaker, well posted up in most matters likely to engage the attention of the General Assembly, and capable of doing good service if his heart is in the work. Still, we are not prepared to give him unqualified support. We are not satisfied with his reply to the requisitionists — true it is he has declared in favor of Separation, but has not shadowed forth what kind of Separation he means. Again, he has not touched upon the question of the Southland Loan Act, and the completion of the railways. I Southland, affairs must of a necessity come before the Assembly, and we have experienced so much from the neglect or misrepresentation that we naturally feel that if we are to be properly represented we should have men with known and fixed views upon all the leading topics of the day — men with strong political instinct, cosmopolitian conceptions, and thoroughly acquainted with our individual wants — J men liberal, honest, able and industrious. If Mr. Heale is elected it is to be hoped that he will prove to possess all these qualities. Mr. Wood has some claims for support. He is a local man not altogether unacquainted with legislative work. He has a considerable stake in the Province, is a member of the Provincial Council, and much esteemed as an individual by all who know him. Still, he is as yet an untried man ; the- very short time he has been in the Council has left us in a state of darkness as to his capacity. He is liberal in his views — a Separationist, &c. It does not appear, however, to us that he is the man for the present crisis. In the absence of a third candidate we must hold Mr. Heale as the most eligible; and if elected, there is reason to believe that he will faithfully represent his constituents, and not be without weight in the House. He appears to be far the most desirable candidate of the two. It is the duty of every elector on this occasion to record his vote. Any apathy now shown will be taken by the enemies of Southland as evidence of weakness — of an indifference to all progress which renders neglect to its requirements, and a rejection of its appeals for justice a matter of the most insignificant character This must not be. If Southland is to overcome its difficulties, and reach that position of prosperity which her natural resources justifies a faith that by wise and earnest action she may attain the present opportunity should not be lost. With the prospect of good payable Gold Fields almost at our doors, we can succeed in changing the existing loan Jlra a thwty-year W complete tfee Bail'

wiys, and settle the country in the : vicinity of the lines ; a permanent prosperity can be secured. It is therefore to be hoped that the electors will poll to a man.