The Waikato Times. "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1873.

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 181, 5 July 1873, Page 2

The Waikato Times. "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1873.

Independence and representative Government are closely..conneoted in the minds of most men. If every man possessed of a vote were to record it intelligently and honestly, no doubt the connection would be based on something' more substantial than a mere idea. In this oountry the indifference of the majority as (regards political matters, and the dishonesty of a large section of the population, have rendered .Representative Government a farce in the eyes of all who have taken the trouble to trace political acts to their source. That this state of affairs exists is highly discreditable I" ( a peo. pip, and the time has arrived who .ot to form cannot fail to lead to the most di-, ( rous • jults, A vast expeuditnre of borrowed raon- . ■ jrrent revenue is taking 1 place, and never before in the history of this colony has there been greater necessity for political activity on the part of the people. The form that this activity must assume — in fact almost the only one it ean — is scrupulous care in the elecriou of representatives. It is known to all that the election of a Superintendent and members of the Provincial Council will take place in September. As regards the Superintendency, it will be our duty to review the creeds of the three candidates already in the field, with the object of pointing, out where and in what they differ. The office of Superintendent is o«e that is sought ; uot so, that of members of Coaucil. As yet there is only one gentleman in the field, or rather, there is only one been thought of to occupy the three soats in this district. We should like to see each electoral division send the best man it oan produce. It is true that the Waikato has little to expect from the Provincial Government, but it must nevertheless not be forgotten that a people is judged 1 by their representatives equally as a man by his companions. To look at the matter in another light, the Provincial Council has tljc power of legislating,! and although this power is only possessed to a very limited extent, it has in its hands the opportunity of doing mischief and is almost powerless for good. We have alluded to this subjeot because we believe that it is only necessary to intimate the road that; should be travelled for a number of our settlers who tire consoious o f their responsibilities to commonce to tread it. In, conclusion we trust that no man will be returned for the Provincial Council who is not a fair representative of the intelligence and honesty of purpose of the Waikato settlers.

Lieutermnt Chnrlos Robert Konnett Fergusson, 7pth Regfc, has been gazetted Aide-dc Camp to his Excellency, and Captain Robert ScQtfc MncUell extra. Aide-de-Cqmp. Messrs Jones and W:ire, the contractors for a, portion of the Waikato Railway, have inspected the country aa far as Jfgaruawahia, wo presume with the object of tendering for the construction of the line beyond Mercer. We request that tljo requisitions to Mr Byron to. present himself for election to a seat in tho Provincial Council may he sent to our office forthwith. Wo shall a^feo b,e obliged to those who have had entrusted to them, copies of the petition re railway if they will do likewise. Mr Lusk addressed the electors in Cambridge on "Wednesday evening in the school-room. Wo learn that the attendance was not very great. The speaker was attentively listened to by those present, and a vote of thanks passed to him and the chairman, Major John Wilson. We are informed that the road near Meroer is in a. most disgraceful state, the railway contractors having taken, entire possession of it regtirdle»3 of the inconvenience to the public of having to pass in tho Vst way they can. Surely there is some means of carrying on the railway works without blocking tho road for traffic. We learn that a meeting of the committee appointed in Cambridge to watch the course of events will be held, on Tuesday next. We trust that they wil] calmjy deliberate, and afterwards publicly express their opinion on the native question. It will afford us much pleasure to insert any communication that may emanate from the committee, as we feel confident that any recommendations they may make will be far the benefit of the settlers as a body, and not that of an interested clique. While discussing the principles of the Permissive Bill, | the New Zealand Tablet of the 21st ultimo says :— " If the vice of drunkenness can be cured, it will not be by •uch legislation as the Permissive Bill, but by judicious training of the young, and affording the masses sufficient; means of rational enjoyment. A s for ourselves, we must say wo are totally opposed to this Permissive Bill, because we entertain no doubt whatever that it would; ny% have the slightest effect in diminishing drunkenness, and because we are convinced it would be good as an instrument of injustice and oppre33ion, of conspiracy and cabal, and would become a means of rousing national antipathies. There it one thing however, which legislation might do, and ought to do! Inspectors pjighfc be appointed, who would examine all drinks sold, in order to ascertain whether or not they contained ingredients injurious to health. Were this done, and the vendor of adulterated liquors to be deprived of his Mcevae and heavily fined, a very great deal of good would be effected."