The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1884. A NEW CONSTITUTIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1654, 7 April 1884, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1884. A NEW CONSTITUTIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Ok Friday last some forty gentlemeu met the Hon Mr Reynolds at Dunediu for the purpose of forming a constitutional association. It would almost appear lliat the promoter of the proposed organisation lias christened it a constitutional association because its object is so decidedly unconstitutional in character,'and for fear it might bo regarded as privy conspiracy and rebellion if it were not ticketed with a name which would disguise the amiable intentions of the ornament of the Legislative Council who has given birth to it. According to the telegraphic report of the meeting Mr Reynolds' object in floating the Association is to urge the claims of Otago and Canterbury against the rest of the colony. Not that lie appears to have any special sympathy with Canterbury, but because he cannot carry a vote in the Assembly without the aid of Christchurch members, If an alliance could once be arranged between Canterbury and Otago these two provinces could rule the colony and all the rest of New Zealand would bo at their mercy. This is evidently the Hon., Mr Reynold's ■ idea of statesmanship. A constitutional association in any part of New Zealand is a good thing provided it is what its name purports, something for the benefit or in the interests of the constitution under which we live. That constitution is not an Otago constitution or a Canterbury constitution but a New Zealand constitution, and the Hon Mr Reynolds is false to it and unfaithful to his trust as a New Zealand Legislator, when under the thin guise of constitutional reform, he endeavors to benefit 0110 part of the colony at the expense of the remainder. It is time that gentlemen of the Legislative Council and members ofthe . House of Representatives were reminded that their first duty is to the colony and not to the particular section of it with which they are connected. Public men become very second rate when they allow themselves to drop down to a mere provincial level. - We riotice" that oven Mr Bunny in his address to the Thorndon electors pledges himself to do his best (1) for Thorndon, (2) for the Provincial District. Had Mr Bunny belonged to tho best type of publiG men we possess he would have named (1) the Colony; (2) the Provincial.District; and (3) Thorndon, In this respect Mr Bunny is no better than Mr Reynolds, and Mr Reynolds is as had as Mr Bunny. Of course Messrs Reynolds and Bunny do not need to be told that the.best guarantee for the welfare of each section of the qolony is the good Government of the whole, but tliey find that the ventilation of local grievances is the most popular and attractive method of obtaining tho sympathy and support ot their friends. . Who •caves for the colony 1 Who speaks up for the colony! The number of colonial advocates are. few !; We trust this bastard constitutional association of Mr Reynolds will miscarry, and that all similar enterprises in which some local advantage is soughtto be gained under a false national flag .will meet a similar fate.