Tuapeka Times AND GLODFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1872. "MEASURES. NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 252, 28 November 1872, Page 4

Tuapeka Times AND GLODFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1872. "MEASURES. NOT MEN."

Nothing ca,n more forcibly illustrate the pernicious effects of the system whereby Superintendents and member* of Provincial Executives are. permitted- to.' occupy seats in the iEJous^' 'ooff f Representatives, than the present political dead-lock in Otago. His Honor the Superintendent and Mr. Donald ReiaJ l^e^ Provincial Secretary i hold political opinions diametrically opposed to each other,.. &nd hold prominent positions > in their respective parties.. By the Result of a division, the

latter beoame a member 6f the Colonial- Executive. Mr. Macandrew considered it highly improper that Mr. Donald Reid should at one and the same time occupy the twd positions of Chief of the Otago. Executive and member of the Oolonial Ministry — that, in short, his Provincial Secretary should at the same time be his political supe-* perior, and communicates, his view of the matter to Mr. Reid. Carrel spondenqe, increasing in oerim.oniQu.sfeeling,as it progressed, ensued, Mr. ifceid refused to resign his position, and Mr. Macanc|rew dismissed him. Shortly after, Mr. Reid's party was beaten, and he= retired into the Opposition. Mr Macandrew then offered to reinstate him in h,h former position, but Mr, Reid, deeming himself affronted by being previously dismissed, refuses to he reinstated. The upshot. 4>f this quarrel between two men in Wellington is that Qtago is left without a Government, to carry on its affairs, ho the great detriment ot the public interest In countries which we are ' pleased to call barbarous, despots alone are permitted to make peoples or communities suffer for freaks of temper ; but in this enlightened colony, the public business of 70,00Q people i& neglected, and the governmental machinery disorganised, simply on account of a wretched paltry quarrel between a Superintendent and a Provincial Secretary. We do, not intend to express any opinion, on the merits of the quarrel, but we do most strongly object that the. province suffers because it occurred. The efforts to form a Provincial Executive have not, up to the time of our writing, proved successful. Overtures^ have been repeatedly made to influential members of the Liberal party, and very favorable terms offered ; but an indisposition to take office appears to prevail amongst those eligible. This is in a great measure attributable to the intrigues of Mr. Reid's personal following, who are making strenuous endeavours to put the Superintendent in a fix, so that their chief may become master of the situation* We confess we cannot see what the Liberal party have to do with a personal quarrel between Mr. Reid and Mr. Macandrew. The gentlemen interested are quite able to, take care of themselves, or they ought to be. It is in the last degree reprehensible that the formation of an Executive should be prevented on this ground. Beibre the end of the year much important business must be transacted, and it is advisable that representatives of the party which, for want of a better name, we have called the "Liberal," should exercise some influence over it. Any Government that may now be formed can be regarded only as a Government of expediency. No political significance can attach to the conduct of any one joining it, and it is not likely that it will undertake any other work than actual administrative business.