The Southland Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1873.

Southland Times, Issue 1705, 21 February 1873, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1873.

The Victorian Assembly has not been distinguished of late years for the culture and statesmanlike ability of its members. There are, however, a few who form pleasing exceptions to the general rule, and among these must be numbered Mr Wkixon, M.L.A. for Belfast. In accordance with a self imposed rule — which we think highly commendable, and to which we direct the attention of our local members — Mr Wrixos addresses his constituents after each Besaion, and has lately done so at Belfast. In his speech there is much that will repay perusal even by readers who have little direct interest in Victorian politics. These yearly meetings of members with their constituencies Mr "Wmxosr regards as being of the greatest service, both to the electors and to the representative, and in this we heartily agree with him. Besides contributing to a good understanding between the two, subjects of mutual jor general interest can be discussed more impartially and practically than they can in times of electioneering excitement. The views and requirements of the constituency are more fully laid before the representative ; and they, on the other hand, are likely to be more fairly and frankly made aware of the extent of his power and opportunities of assisting them to the fulfilment of their desires. After referring to the local matters connected with the district, Mr Weixon commented at considerable length on the new Education Act The education question, he said, had all along been regarded with a sort of mysterious dread — it was the politician's skeleton in the closet, and all previous attempts to deal with it bad failed, each one more egregiously than the last. " The difficulty seemed greater and deeper than ever, when all at once a young political warrior arose who slew this dreaded Goliath in the simplest manner possible." Here is a lesson for us in New Zealand. Our politicians hare as yet evaded the encounter ; but it is only postponed, and not for long. The previous attempts of Victorian Ministries failed, because they were attempts at compromise with the denominational principle. No one can doubt that the success of the present measure, both as to the facility with which it passed through the Legislature, and the reception it has met with from the community, is owing to its entire freedom from the denominational element, and the simplicity and practical character of its three leading principles, that the education provided by the State shall be free, compulsory, and secular. As we remarked on a previous occasion, these principles are much in advance of anything we have heard on the subject of education from our New Zealand politicians, and as we have our work in this department yet to do, the operation of the Victorian measure, aud the opinions formed of it by the leading men of that Colony, are well worth the consideration of our legislators and of the community at large. The most interesting portion of Mr Wbixon's remarks, however, referred to the large subject of electoral reform considered with relation to the problem of obtaining the best possible results from the represemative system of Government. Although it may be taken as an ascertained fact that all stable government in the present age must be government in accordance with the settled will of the people in each community, "it is by no means settled what is the best form of political machinery by which to give expression to and work that will." The results attained by popular government, both in England and America, fall far short of what might reasonably be expected. Little real interest is taken in the work of government, either by the masses, or by those actually engaged in it. One cause of these evils Mr Wbixon finds in the inadequate character of the ordinary electoral systems for securing a really national representation. A member if returned for a given locality, and as a matter of course, he considers it his first duty — it certainly ml) be hie interest — to obtain what advantages he can for his own district, to the neglect, or even to the damage, of the welfare of the

community. Thug each district endeavors to get as large a share of the public expenditure as possible, irrespective of fairness or consideration for the interests of the whole. Such a system, he contends, cannot be expected to produce really representative men of high character and abilities, for such men will not willingly become what local representatives are expected to be, agents each for his own Little Pedlingtoa in the Assembly. The remedy proposed is to substitute representation of men for representation of place?. The difficulty has been acknowledged, and proposals have been made to meet it, before now, chiefly ia the way of enlarging the electoral districts. But it is obvious that although But'h a change would probably have a good effect, so far as it went, it could only be regarded as a palliative, not as a cure. Mr Wrixon would do away with electoral districts altogether and substitute a representation of the whole community, " imposing on the legislators legislative duties only, and freeing them from the exacting calls their position now imposes on them." That this would be a great change for the better, if it could be accomplished, all will agree, but it is to be feared that it will be difficult to induce any Colonial Legislature, at least in our present stage of political development, to take a view of the subject so broad and statesmanlike. Still it is a hopeful sign that the suggestion has been made, and Mr Wrixox premises a series of resolutions on the subject early in the next session of the Victorian Parliament. Though he does not say so in so many words, it is obvious that some modification of Mr Hare's celebrated plan of voting is the change which Mr Wbixon desires to see adopted. By this plan, as our readers are aware, the representative assembly is chosen by the votes of the entire community, so taken as to afford as close an approximation to a perfect representation as it is possible to attain, while at the same time the con nection of representatives with particular localities may still be retained, in a modified and unobjectionable degree. While it will probably be many years before any such sweeping change will be adopted either in Victoria or New Zealand, it is well that the public mind should be familiarised with the defects of our present system, and attention called to every intelligent suggestion for its improvement.