Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

The Southland Tiems. FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1873.

The result of the contest for the election of a representative for Invercargill in the General Assembly assumes a far higher importance than can ordinarily be attached to the result of any single election. Within the last three weeks as many elections to the General Assembly have taken place in different parts of the country, and each has been marked by the return of a Ministerial supporter, in two instances displacing an opposition member. At Nelson Mr Richmond was returned by a large majority ; at Lyttelton Mr Webb was the victor, and Invercargill - has assigned to Mr Wood his place as a defeated candidate, by the return of Mr Cttthbebtson by a majority variously estimated at from 15 to 18. The result of these elections will strengthen the hands of the Ministry, and enable them to press forward vigorously the measures on which the public prosperity depends. This much may at least be hoped for, but inasmuch as during the past session parties were bo evenly balanced as to make it at times uncertain on which side the advantage lay (apparently trivial circumstances distinct from the questions at issue determining the result of a division) should such not be the case, the result of the recent contests points to a course which may be very properly and safely taken by the Ministry. The point at issue which the electors of Invercargill, Lyttelton, and Nelaon have decided has been whether the Public Works and Immigration policy shall be carried forward by theinitiating Ministry in the spirit with which it was originated ; whether the country shall really reap the benefit of a policy, broad, comprehensive, and aiming to accomplish results fraught with the most beneficial and important consequences, and containing within itself evidence of its adaptation to produce the results arrived at; or whether that policy shall be obstructed and progress retarded. On this point the electors to whose decision the question has been submitted have pronounced in i»vur Kfi tuts iu.imesb.ry, ana in aomg bo we have no doubt that they have spoken the voice of the community of New Zealand. This being the case, should it be found upon the opening of the session that the Government, notwithstanding its accession of strength, and the weakening of the ranks of the opposition, is still unable to carry its measures, the opinion of the country may not only be justifiably taken, but it appears that a dissolution of the Assembly is the only course open consistent with the public interest and safety. We do not, however, apprehend that ft necessity will arise for such a course. There are in every Assembly men who are slow to'make up their minds, and who in many cases wait for a pressure from without, and we believe it will be found that the ranks of the Ministerial supporters will receive accessions from some of this class acting in deference to public opinion. Giving all due weight, however, to such assumed probabilities, we are warranted in asserting that the decision of yesterday has been anxiously waited for by those throughout the country who have its welfare at heart, and the declaration of Mr Cuthbebtson's return will be greeted by thousands who believe that the prosperity of New Zealand depends upon the faithful prosecution" 1 of the Public Works and Immigration policy.. We congratulate Mr Ctjthbebtbon on his election, and the consequent opportunity afforded him of aiding in the accomplishment of a great public good. The contest having terminated, we are at liberty to comment upon it more freely than in the peculiarity pf our position we felt justified in doing while it was in progress. We have already referred to Mr Cuthbeetsoit's election as & public success, and descending somewhat from the high ground we have felt justified in taking, we have no hesitation in asserting that it is a success of which the respectable, thinking portion of this community has special reason to be proud. In the conduct of the opposition to Mr Ctjthbebtson, a reign ot terrorism had been sought to be established. Scurrility of the vilest character, in reference to persons who had been in no way identified with the candidature of Mr Ctjthbebtson, excepting that they were assumed to be friendly to it, has been indulged in, as part and parcel of the legitimate advocacy of the cause of his opponent, and while we most emphatically exonerate Mr Wood from the slightest participation in the garbage which has disgraced a portion of the press, that gentleman has need especially to cry, " Save me from my friends !" The verdict of yesterday has been a double verdict. It has pronounced j emphatically on the value of the Ministerial policy, and given in its determination to uphold it; and it has no less emphatically declared that it will not tolerate the foul and dishonest attempts at intimidation by which it has been sought to defer the electors from the discharge of their duty. We liaye already congratulated Mr Cutk-

bertso>: on his success : we now congratulate the electors of Invercargill on having secured a representative who will, aa we believe, faithfully study their interests, and conscientiously, to the best of his ability, discharge his duty. The experience already acquired of the mental, educational, and oratorical qualifications of Mr Ctjtubeetson is a sufficient guarantee of his faculty to deal with the various measures brought forward, and of his ability to make such utterances with respect to them as will command the attention of the Assembly.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18730523.2.5

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Southland Times, Issue 1744, 23 May 1873, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
924

The Southland Tiems. FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1873. Southland Times, Issue 1744, 23 May 1873, Page 2

The Southland Tiems. FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1873. Southland Times, Issue 1744, 23 May 1873, Page 2

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert