The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1869. " Measures, not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 60, 3 April 1869, Page 2

The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1869.

" Measures, not Men."

The , approaching session of the Provincial Council will be rendered memorable in the history of Otago by the impoi^ance of the questions to. be discussed. It will either witness the triumph of the popular cause or will give at once the signal and excuse for riot and confusion. It is melancholy to reflect how many men there are in that Council whom it would be flattery to declare worthy of the smallest office, whom an English parish would refuse to elect even as beadles : yet upon the votes of such the destinies of a rising country depend. We are to a certain extent fortunate in our goldfields members, for with one exception they are certain to advocate the rights of the people. The gentleman who forms that exception is a memLer of the present Government and from his unwillingness to face his constituents, we imagine he begins to repent of his opposition to their demands. But whether the council chamber is crowded with deadheads,, beats, and officeseekers, or is a meeting of high principled, honourable, and refined gentlemen, ti»e feet remains that they were elected at a time when few were on the eleefco 'al oils, and when the great questions which at present agitate the popular mind had not been raised. Any decision they may arrive at will, therefore, be neither satisfactory nor final, and will almost necessitate an appeal to the constituencies at a time when public feeling may be in a dangerously excited state. The remedy for this is an instant dissolulution, which is indeed the only honourable course for a Government which must be conscious it has forfeited the confidence of the people. This course was strongly advocated by a section of the members last session, but with the honourable exception of the member for Wakatip they have not persisted in the demand. At present the necessity is more urgent than ever, for the present Council possess neither the respect nor confidence of the public. Further, a re-distribution of ssats is contemplated, and so grave and" important a measure should not b 3 attempted without an appeal to the country. Ine franchise, instead of being based on more wide and liberal foundations, is, it is alleged, to be narrowed by the abolition of the miner's right qualification, and Otago is to present a melancholy instance of retrogression when all other countries are rapidly progressing to the culminating point of manhood suffrage. We hear it whispered that the Superintendent's dread of losing bis office is the great obstacle to a dissolution. Nor is such dread unfounded. The man who was to have moved the spheres has contented himself with feeble moans about his own powerlessness, and has endeavoured to retain the popularity he gained by advocating a just and generous policy, by mest persistent trimming. Whatever he may have won by such a course, it can hardly recompense him for the loss of popularity or for the sacrifice of political consistency. If his li(ands. have been tied, let him appeal to ihe country to untie the knot. If he has been thwarted by obnoxious colleagues, let him call on the people for deliverance. Let him candidly avow his inability to do anything in his present position. Let him declare his adhesion to the popular cause, and the people will to a man rally round him. But. Mr. Maeandrew cannot be accused of either candour or courage, so we fear he will continue a tool in the hands of a few unscrupulous politicians until the last vestige of his popularity is destroyed. It is a pity tha.t political suicide is not a punishable offence. But although nothing can be hoped from the Superintendent, it is some consolation to think that in the ranks of the opposition there is no lack of good men. and trus, and to their patriotic exertions we look for relief. They possess a small, if not a working majority of the Council, and have it in their power to force a dissolution. We trust they will use this power, and can assure them such action on their part will not be forgotten at the polls.