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Southland Times, Volume VI, Issue 491, 11 June 1866, Page 2

One of the most marked characteristics of the colonists of New Zealand is a listless good humored indifference to the politics of the country. The leading commercial men all appear to view with inactivitj the haphazard legislation which may be provided for them. They refuse to take pay active pai't in the politics of the country, and are not called upon to aid in the legislation of the colony. Parliament may meet, its -members may indulge themselves in their own particular way, and by a process of " log rolling " each leading member may obtain the adoption of any fantastic bantling he may have fathered without the public knowing anything or taking the trouble to enquire what will be the effect of such reprehensible legislation. The important measures which are likely to be brought before the Assembly during next session are of the highest possible moment to the commercial classes. There is the tariff to be revised, the proposed stamp duty, the income tax to be considered, and other matters of infinite commercial importance debated. Notwithstanding all this, the commercial men of this province appear to be censurably apathetic and indifferent to progress. A general meeting of the members of the Chamber of Commerce was called last week, aud three members were present. Here we see a feody which ought not to be second in legislative influence to any provincial institution, displaying the greatest indifference to the chief subjects which can possibly affect I the future destinies of the Province. The Eailway Investigation Commission, tho recjnstructim of tho Provinces, \h > Income tax, the Postal Service, and similar subjects are essentially within therange of the deliberations of the members of the Chamber of Commerce, and to this body toe public, in most cities, look for substantialarguinents upon which tojfound their faith. The Invercargill Chamber of Commerce has not lately maintained the i position it ought to hold; it has been indifferent to its own position and the progress of the Province. The Chamber is again summoned to meet on Tuesday next, and it is to be hoped that a full attendance will be given. It is owing to the indifference of some of the principal of its members that such a state of things exist.