Untitled

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 227, 12 March 1866, Page 2

Mr. Dilloit Bell is now a member of the General Assembly for the Mataura District of Southland. We congratulate the electors upon the event: although not able to endorse the views held by Mr. Bell on many questions — especially the Maori war and Separation — we should have been very sorry if his services had not been secured for the Province. He is an able and well-posted politician ; has influence in the Assembly, is thorughly conversant with the working of all the machinery of Grovernment. His political experience of New Zealand legislation is unsurpassed by any person in the colony, and although he may have made some mistakes, he has done good service to the Province, — it would have been a reproach if we had rejected him at the present time, notwithstanding his views on some of the leading questions, do not dovetail exactly with the opinions of the majority of the people of this portion of the colony. On the question of Separation he is not clear, although he cannot be said to be an anti-Separationist, and his sympathies are rather too much tinned with the Exeter Hall creed of Maori management. Still, we consider him an eligible man — a man that will always command an influence in the Assembly, and be a wise officer for the "raw recruits" which will, have to attend driU in the House of Representatives. Indeed he is entitled to be the political leader of the "four." Mr. McCltjee showed very good taste in retiring from the contest in favor of Mr. Bell. Had that gentleman succeeded in gaining the election — had a contest taken place, the Province might have suffered a severe loss. He may be a desirable member but he does not hold one single view in advance of Mr. Bell Upon the question of Separation he is unsound, and upon all other subjects his

wisely resigned and not forced on a con" tested election. The interests of Southland will we hope, and think, be well looked after during the next session of the Assembly. Mr. McCltjre deserves . the thanks of the community for the free and frank manner in which he stated, that after he had heard the lucid statement of Mr. Bell whose views he considered almost identical with his own, he should, with the consent of his supporters retire in his favor. This was an act of disinterestedness which we hope will he remembered should that gentleman again seek public honors. It is with much regret that we are compelled to hold over, till another issue our verbatim, report of the able speech of Mr. Bill delivered in the Theatre Royal on Friday night. A large portion is in type but from a press of matter we are forced to postpone its publication. Feeling that at the present time it is most desirable to give all matters of a political interest, connected with Southland, free publicity ; with considerable trouble we have arranged for full and correct reports of leading topics of the Provincial Council and all meetings bearing upon the interests of the Province.