The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1883. POLITICAL ORGANISATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1170, 6 November 1883, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1883. POLITICAL ORGANISATION.

Thb Hon, W, H. Reynolds writes to the Daily Times as follows :—“ Some two or three years ago, in conversation with some of our leading men here, I pointed out the best means of securing proper administration of the affairs of the colony would be to put our hands in our pockets and subscribe liberally for the formation of an Association to be presided over by an elected committee of, say, a dozen good business men taken from various classes of the community, to secure an office, engage an able man as secretary at a good salary, sav, £6OO or £BOO per annum. His duties should be to make himself thoroughly acquainted with every event, even with the most minute, in connectioa with the policy or administration of our public affairs, to lay all information acquired before the Committee at stated and special meetings, take instructions and carry them out. He should be a man capable of addressing public meetings ; and on important questions arising be should, under directions from the Committee, make arrangements for and convene public meetings, secure speakers to take part in the same, and thus educate the public on all subjects political, Such an association should have branches in every electoral district in |

the province, and its chief object should be to watch over the general interests of the colony and province, and not local affairs. Special associations might bo formed in each or any district desiring the same to attend to local matters. I have no doubt that if such an association were formed foi Otago, other provincial districts would follow in our wake, and by correspondence and co-operation the whole colony might be made to work more harmoniously together for the general good. In order to carry out efficiently the objects of such an association an annual sum of some £2400 would be required ; such a sum ought not to prove a barrier to its formation. I feel convinced that there are some two dozen firms and persons in the province who, if they were to contribute £2OO a year each—say for three years—would, in the general prosperity, bo recouped to the extent of four or five fold ; but to be moderate, say that 10 could be got to guarantee £IOO a year, 20 £SO and 20 £25, the Association would thus consist of 50 members. Bat my limit would not end here : I would take guarantees for lesser amounts than £25, and would allow anyone to become a member on payment of, say ICs or 20s annual subscription. 1 would fix the guarantee for three years, so as to secure stability to the Association and the prospect of permanent employment to the Secretary. Before the expiry of three years I would have no fear but that ample funds would be willingly subscribed for its continuance.” Mr Reynolds evidently wishes to establish a Vigilance Committee to keep a sharp look out on the way the Government administers the finances ot the colony. We never thought that the public men of the colony had reached such a demoralized degree as to necessitate such a course, but when an ex-Minister and a Member of the Legislature suggests it, we have sufficient reason to suspect that there is something wrong somewhere. It is certainly humiliating to admit that such a course is necessary under our Triennial Parliament; oar liberal franchise which is next door to manhood suffrage, and our extensive system of local government the most liberal, perhaps, in the world. It is paying a very poor compliment to our public men. And still, when we remember that political support is purchased and purchasable session after session by Government, when we find Government paying the expenses of Members’ wives so as to secure their votes, and doing many other equally reprehensible things, we must say that there is a great deal in Mr Reynolds’ letter. Mr Reynolds no doubt knows a great deal more about how things are managed than those who have never bad the good fortune to get a peep at the workings of the inner circle. He has gone through the mill, and probably played his cards with as intense a desire to score a point as other mortals. It is because we know that he knows what he is talking about, and because we are confident that money has been scandalously mis-spent that we commend Mr Reynolds’ suggestion. No doubt the proper way would be for each constituency to form a Political Association of its own to watch the actions of its Representative in Parliament, but the public as a general rule are very apathetic about such matters. They never bother about politics until the election time comes on, and then the man who can ‘ pitch tbe best yarn,’ and is best liked is elected. It is not a question of fitness for the position, but of personal popularity. If he is a ‘ jolly good fellow ’ he may entertain any political views he likes. The electors are rather loose in their ideas as to tbe fittest to represent them, and it is no wonder their representatives are loose in their way of looking after their interests. There is another thing demoralizing public men in this colony. If a Member does not get anything for his own district his chance of being re-elected is very small. Let him vote like an angel for the good of the colony and neglect to get something for a road or a bridge in his own locality, and when he comes next before bis constituency, the question is asked, ‘ What good did he do.’ The knowledge that he must get something for his own district to retain his seat, makes him sell his vote to tbe Government in order to get it, and it is thus a great deal of the corruption arises, So long as the Government can borrow money, and can purchase votes in this way there will be corruption, but the moment - there is no more money to spend, Members will vote according to their convictions, and politics will assume a healthier tone. The organisation Mr Reynolds speaks of I

would do good, but we shall not hare pure unselfish patriotism until, -as our local representntire puts it, ‘ the game of grub ’ is knocked on the head.

IRRIGATION OF THE PLAINS. About this time twelve months ago the Irrigation of the Plains was all the rage. The County Council would have gone to work at once then, but they found they had not sufficient power under the Act. It was decided to get a Special Act of Parliament passed to give them the necessary legal status, and Mr Wynn-Williams prepared one. The Bill when it came before Parliament was declared a Private Bill, and it was allowed to drop becmse the amendment to the Counties Act contained such provisions as were required. This Counties Act Amendment Act has become law, the Council has now the necessary powers, but we hear nothing of the Irrigation Scheme. We cannot help wondering at this thusness; more especially as the Chairman of the Council has, at his own private expense, made about 2£ miles of a drain to irrigate his own land. This ought to have reminded him that it was high time the Council took the matter up afresh. But probably it is modesty that is causing the Council to bang fire, and they are only waiting to be asked. Under the the new Act it is necessary that ratepayers desirous of availing themselves of the irrigation provisions should get up a petition describing and defining the boundaries of their district, and praying that such a district may be constituted a district for irrigation purposes. .This petition must be signed by one-half the ratepayers in the district > and presented to the Council. The County Council then has its duties to perform. It must cause a plan of the said district to be made, and deposit it in the nearest Road Board office for public inspection. After the plans have remained there one month the Council constitutes the district by special order, and proceeds to obtain from the ratepayers their sanction to raise a special loan. The loan must not exceed 10* per acre of the land in the district, and the rate by which this loan if to be paid must not exceed six farthings ia the £ of the rateable value of property. These are the leading features of the modut operandi , and it will be seen that unless the matter is taken up at once another summer will have gone by without anything being done. First there is the petitition to be got up, then the plans are to be prepared, next the plans must lie for one month open to inspection before any action is taken, and finally, authority for raising the loan mast be got from the ratepayers. It is ' evident that all this will take time, and that consequently it is necessary to begin at once. Why the County Council has not taken the initiative before now, it is difficult to understand. If we mistake not, there are petitions in their possession since last year, and if these are not in accordance with the new Act, it was the business of the Council to remind the petitioners of it, and direct them how to proceed. But it is only characteristic of the Council. Past experience teaches us that they must be driven to do anything that is necessary, and the only thing that can be done is to spur them on by sending in petitions to them. Those who want water to irrigate their land ought to proceed at once, for there is a long and tortuous course to go through before they can get it.