THE Marlborough Express.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 1875.

" Givr me tha liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according tn conscience, above, all other liberties —Milton

The advent of Mr Henderson as an opponent of Mr Seymour for the representation of the Wairau will be a surprise to many who six months ago refused to believe that the strug gle between Mr Moorhouse and Mr Ward was one of party only. Now we have the proof, inasmuch as the same persons .ire m action,- only that Mr Henderson has changed place with Mr Ward, and hopeless as the contest may be, we can only regret the waste of time and money which must follow as a consequence. The Times, which is Mr Henderson's organ, as it was previously Mr Ward's, tells us that " the political quiet is " disturbed," that Mr Ward doe» not seek re-election, "so the contest will be between " Mr Seymour and Mr Henderson," and it understands " that Mr Henderson has received many offers of support and has good prospects of being returned as Member of the House of Representatives for Wairau." Well we beg to differ with that authority for divers reasons good and strong. We think that there will not be many persons found who will be anxious to tiy the doubtful experiment of new blood again so soon, while they can have Mr Seymour. The electors will be more likely to favor one whom they have proved, and who has not been found wanting ; one whose influence m the House is equal to any, if not superior to most of the Members ; and especially m these Abolition days, when the utmost care m the reconstruction of the form of Government is requisite. These are certainly not the times for trying new and inexperienced men who have no knowledge whatever of Parliamentary usages, and have all their influence to acquire. We have already said Mr Henderson is put up by the party who have so long striven to rule the destinies of the Wairau, the same party m fact at whose instance the district has been split up into a number of small sections with diverse interests, but none of which has sufficient revenue to build the smallest bridge, or carry out the simplest specimen of Public Works". Last year they put up Mr Ward, and no sooner had he left for the Assembly than they began to undermine his standing with his supporters, as he was not the man after their own hearts. Puzzling as this was to some, Mr Seymour's friends understood it perfectly, and regarded it as an indication of the present contest. We now learn without surprise that one feature of their platform is opposition to the sheepfarmers, but what they really want, a part from the personal motive, is to get m a townsman. If such was the case, why did they fight so hard for Mr Ward? The reason is clear, they were organising a party for this election. Whatever faults Mr Ward had — and what man is perfect ? — he was true to his party, and ought to have been supported by them

m return, instead of which there is scarcely a voter hereabouts who has not been told by one of Mr Ward's prominent abettors how he had been " sold" by that gentleman ; not that we wish to infer that the art of '"slandering and evil-speaking" is entirely confined to one of the party to which we refer, however distinguished m the use of the long bow that gentleman may be. Again, we have turned to the report of Mr Seymour's valedictory meeting, and although the present proceedings were foreshadowed then by the action of Messrs Ward, Sinclair, Henderson, and Dodson, yet we cannot see how they can expect those who joined m the following resolution to break their pledges : — "We thank Mr Seymour for his address this evening, and for his past' services as member for the district m the House of Eepresentatives, and we learn with regret that he cannob attend the next session. We are, however, glad to learn that he intends to offer himself for our suffrages .at the next general election, when we pledge ourselves to use our best endeavours to secure his return." — This resolution was carried by a forest of hands held up m its favour, and only three against, at one of the most crowded meetings ever held m Blenheim. It is m no spirit of disrespect to Mr Henderson, nor is it any discredit to Mm when we say that he would have very little influence m the Assembly, either for good or evil, even were he to be returned, which is very problematical, and no greater mistake could be made than m sending as a representative for a small, and confessedly weak district, a man without influence or experience. If we are to have the Railway extended and made useful, or any other Public Works carried out m the Province, Mr Seymour, who has done so much m the past, is the most likely man to obtain it, and if there is any honor attached to the position it is Mr Seymour, an old and well-tried public servant, who is most entitled to it. ♦ ■ Jj'rom a notice publishedin the Times Mr Ward does not intend to contest the Wairau seat against Mr Seymour. He adds that he will be happy to make any explanations with reference to his past actions that may be desired. As Mr Henderson announces his candidature it may be fairly assumed that Mr Ward means to stand for Cheviot, where his chances do not appear to be improving, for want of his countenance and presence among the electors. We hope he will believe us m earnest when we say again as on the last occasion when he contested the Cheviot district, that we hope lie will be elected. There is no secret m our reason, Mr Ward is staunch and loyal to his own country and would form a third member for Marl borough", and m these days when the tendency is rather to lessen the representation of the People, Mr Ward would be a positive gain to the district. In this sense Mr Ward's interests are identical with our own.