Untitled

West Coast Times, Issue 227, 11 June 1866, Page 2

Altii -von little remains to bo said about the election of tho new Superintendent, und the probable change in tho administration of affairs in Westland, tho fact of Mr Moorhouae's actual assumption of the responsibilities of office, may not be allowed lo pass over without special note. He is now the actual and acting Superintendent of tho Province of Canterbury — of which he is not likely to forget — seeing the cordial reception given to him here, and the confidence reposed in him by the electors who returned him as member for the district in the General Assembly — that Westland is an integral and by no means an u-. important part. It would be out of human nature, especially of such a nature as we believe Mr Moorhouse's to be — sensitive to kindness, appreciative of confidence-— not to bear in vivid recollection tho whole circumstances of his sojourn here. Ho was introduced to the district as the candidate of a party. But it is safe to presume that he carried away with him no party predilections. The compliment paid to him by Westland was the highest that could have been offered him by any district in the province. If, as we do not doubt, His Honor will remember with very satisfied feelings what took place here whilst he was amongst us, he may bo assured that the people of Westland themselves have an equally retentive memory. Not a word of what he said has been forgotten. That was the day of promise. Now comes tho d'iy of fulfilment. Absolutely Mr Moorhouse pledged himself to nothing virtually he pledged himself to>, nearly all that Westland ever demanded. The very caution and reserve he maintained gave an increased emphasis and force— a pregnant suggestiveness — to what he actually said. His words, as coming from him, bore more significance than appeared on the face of them ; and if the new Superintendent doe's nqt provo himself tho special friend of Westland

interests, ho will falsify Iho impression ho has succeeded in making upon the public mind in this district.

It must be romombered, howovor, that tho Superintendent has no autocratic power, however largo and demonstrative tho popular vote by whioh ho has boon elected to his high office. From tho moment 'of his assumption of power, ho lays asido tho character in which ho haa contested the election as a candidate standing ou a party platform, and becomes an executive officer, oxercising administrative functions not merely by his own will but by tho advice and eon • sent of a responsible ministry. We believe Mr Moorhouso to be a man wl. o must necessarily, from his forco of character, exercise a very powerful per • sonal influence upon tho Executive by whom ho may bo surrounded. And it follows that more importance may be attached than under other ci»-

circumstances, to his known political principles and to his recorded pledges. But, after all, tho success of his administration will very much depend upon the men who come into office with hira and the choice of these will rest Bum stantially with tho Provincial Council

Probably no ono who was present at the meeting at whioh tin? gentleman first mado his acquaintance with the electors of Hokitika, will have forgotten his famous illustration of legislative partialities, in a House comprised of twenty whito men and ten black men — in some such fashion it ran. He said it was only human naturo that the white should outvote tho black, and look after white interests at the sacrifice of

blaok on-.e. Tlio illustration was most apt, and it remains only to apply its moral. Westland is tho minority as typified in the black men . It is thereforo all the more incumbent to mako that minority strong in point of determination and ability in proportion as it is weak in point of numbers.

With the election of Mr Moorhouso and his assumption of 6ffice, all the animosi-

ties of the late contest appear to have subsided. This may bo partly attributable to tho decisive oharacter of his majority. It is satisfactory to know that tho protracted struggle, not unattended with vexatious incidents, is likely to bo followed by the harmonious co-ope-ration of parties in the government of the province. Tho " Press" only repeats in tho following passage, what is tho oubstance of all the articles that have appeared on this subject in tho provincial journals on the other side. It says : — "So far as our differences with Mr Moorhouse go, they are at an end. Wo do not forget that he is again tho Chief Magistrate of tho province ; and it is the duty of every man to support tho Government under which ho lives, so long aa Ko can conscientiously do bo. The present election has sot at rest old scores ; nor shall wo ever again revive the complaints on which wo havo dwelt so strongly. Such an election is like the verdict of a jury ; tho client who loses may retain to tho full his old opinion as lo tho rectitudo of his case, but ho does not thereforo find it necessary or wise to persist in enforcing his views. 'He accepts the verdict. For these reasons wo olose our account of tho past. Wo shall deal with the policy of tho new Government upon its merits, criticising any proposals which may be mado without any tinge of party spirit ; nay, rather hoping that we may be able to agree and approvo rather than oppose or condemn. This we believe to be tho feeling of all those who opposed Mr Moorhouso iv tho present election."