The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 742, 26 November 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1870.

The general election of members to serve as representatives in the General Assembly is expected to take place in December; when the voting, we may presume, will be in accordance with the provisions of the Ballot Act passed during the last session of the Assembly. It may be remarked, incidentally, that this system of voting; where it has come into operation, has been found to work very beneficially, and equally satisfactory results may be anticipated from its introduction among the goldfields' communities of the Colony. Not that the circumstances of the latter required, so greatly as the older settlements, the framing, of a special enactment to secure purity and independence in the exercise of the electoral franchise; yet past experience has shown that even mining communities have not enjoyed the fullest freedom in this respect. Improper influences have been brought to bear and prejudices have been, in some instances, insidkudy and unscrupulously fostered, giving birth to a feeling of bitterness and dissension utterly unwarranted and, in consulting which, the necessity of returning the most suitable representative is altogether lost sight of. By the ballot the elector is free to give his vote without regard to consequences. It is silently recorded and in this safeguard—the utter impossibility of ascertaining which way an elector has vqted —lies the assurance that, as a rule in future elections, the man, in all respects, best fitted as their representative and most worthy of their confidence will be returned by a constituency. It may also be mentioued that the new method of voting will require certain accommodations and facilities for voters that were not required under the old system; more polling places will be required in consequence of the increased time necessary to record each vote, and, in order that none may be debarred from exercising his franchise, we trust that the Eeturning Officer will make the requisito arrangements for efficiently conducting the polling. Some doubt also seems to exist as to the legality of the method in which the last electoral roll was compiled. As many doubtless are aware, the boundaries of the districts were altered, and that portion of the old district of "Westland North, extending from Eazorback to Cobden, was incorporated with the G-re'ymouth and Teremakau district of the County of Westland. Upon this altered basis, so far as this electoral district is concerned, no new roll has been compiled ; nor has there been any revision by the Eevising Officer ; and the question may arise, whether owing to this informality, the electors of this district may not be temporarily disfranchised. "We believe instructions were forwarded to the Eegistration Officer to prepare the roll according to the altered boundaries of the electoral district of Westland North ; and, in reply, the authorities in Wellington were given to understand that it would be unnecessary to observe all the forms in connection with the compilation of a new roll, inasmuch as the alterations were of a very trifling character. Without question a flattering commentary upon what was believed to be one of the most important measures of the last session of the Assembly—that after its passing into law, and much credit taken . to themselves by the Government in having succeeded in establishing the representation of the Colony upon an equitable footing, they should thus learn that the combined efforts of the legislative wisdom of the Colony had culminated in a result so trifling as to render the observance of legal formalities unnecessary in order to give it effect. According to the dictum of our Eegistration Officer, verily, " the mountain has labored and has given forth a mouse."

It is improbable, however, that even if the validity of an election for this .district could be questioned, that the objection would be raised, and the constituency would do wellj therefore, to take some steps to secure, either from among themselves or outside the district, some eligible candidate who will allow himself to be put in nomination. Of Mr Kynnersley, as a representative, we cannot but speak in terms of unqualified approval. The various pledges he made to the district he fulfilled to the letter, and on every occasion advocated with consistency and zeal the various matters beneficially affecting the mining industry of the Colony. It has been said, however, and, in the absence of contradiction, we must rogard the rumor as confirmed, that Mr Kynnersley will solicit the suffrages of the electors of Picton at the forthcoming general

election. In this case if will be necessary to look elsewhere for a representative, and let us commend the electors to induce, it" possible, some candidate to come forward who may worthily represent so large and important a constituency. Assuming that those in the district who would fill the post with credit, alike, to the community and themselves, are not in a position to afford the necessary time and attention, it should not be a difficult matter to obtain a representative elsewhere, and although to the latter would attach a certain disadvantage in being a stranger, and as such, not so familliarly acquainted with the local requiieinents as one resident on the goldfields, this difficulty is yet far from insurmountable. If it is sought to secure to tho goldfields the consideration that their importance warrants, and to awaken the country to the mighty influence the mining industry may be made to bear upon the prosperity of the Colony, let us endeavour to secure as a representative one who shall possess the will and ability to prove that, in assisting the expansion of our mineral resources, the true interests of New Zealand are best consulted. Let the proposed candidate be a man, if possible, of legislative and administrative experience, but in any case he should be one of political consistency, and scrupulous character. The services of such an one would be infinitely more advantageous than the needy politicians or noisy demagogues who have been instrumental in weakening the influence of the goldfields.