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Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2516, 17 April 1878, Page 2

Mr. H. H. Lusk informed a meeting of Franklin electors last night of his matured determination to retire from Parliament. The reason given for this course is compressed into a single sentence; Mr Lusk finds that he cannot afford to absent himsjclf from hia professional duties for the long period now absorbed in a parliamentary career. With the increasing work of the session, entailing upon members a protracted and costly residence at the Seat of Government, it is annually getting more dimcultformennotpossessed of a competency to enter public life. It may soon become a question whether the emoluments of representatives shall be increased, _ with the risk of making politics a 'trade, or whether the legislature shall be given over to wealthy men and those who find a seat in the Assembly serve their purpose, irrespective of the direct vote on the estimates for payment of members. Looking at the constituent elements in the present Assembly, however, it does not appear that the monetary question has hitherto seriously interfered with the working of democratic principles. At least fifty members of the House

of Representatives could not have become so without the honorarium,. Many of these are liberal, high-minded men; but there are others whose absence would be no less to the country. It _3, indeed,one of the most delicate questions the legislature may have to consider, whether an increase of honorarium, rendering members practically independent while they occupy seats in the legislature, would render the House more representative and immaculate. For our part, we doubt if the amount of the present honorarium would prove a barrier to anyone who is animated by patriotic enthusiasm or love of political life ; and it is not desirable to make public positions objects of aspiration on account of their pecuniary value. When we hear public men continually pleading for consideration because they give their services gratuitously and_ at some sacrifice of time and money, it is not unreasonable to point out that their sacrifice is a voluntary one, and that there are others willing to accept the duties and responsibilities on the same terms. Returning more directly to the vacancy that has occurred for one of the Franklin seats, we have no hesitation in expressing our belief that pecuniary considerations alone would not have deterred Mr Lusk from followingthepath on which he set out with encouraging prospects of success what those unstated reason? _ are, will perhaps give rise to varied opinions.^ But we think there may be discovered in the differences which have for a long time past been observable between Mr Lusks political opinions and those which, as a supporter of Sir George Grey, he was elected to advocate, causes that may have influenced his decision. If this be so, the step which ho has now taken is the most honorable and prudent one open to him. The views avowed by Mr. Lusk at Otahuhu last night have no affinity with those which constitute tho mainspring of life and action in the Grey party. They assimilate more closely to that diluted Conservatism, formulated by the nondescript Middle Party last session as a mean between Sir George Grey and Major Atkinson. And it must be confessed by Mr Lusk's supporters and admirers that a programme lacking backbone, one without individuality and demanding no radical assertion, is that which would be most naturally looked for from a politician possessing Mr Lusk's mental idiosyncracics. While endowed with considerable intellectual talent and conspicously industrious, the retiring member lacks that.sincerity and depth of conviction, and that'enthusiasm which fits a man for great undertakings. It is a political failing with many besides Mr Lusk that they are so constantly oscillating betweeu considerations of principle and expediency that they gain no impetus to action except such as is given by the universal promptings of self, which in other men are borne down by more powerful motives. They are so constantly balancing their own position against that of their adversary—they see so many strong points in his armour, and so many wealpoints in their own—that if they come into action at all, it is so half-heartedly as to discount the chances of victory. It is due to Mr Lusk to say that he has faithfully carried out his election promises ; and if the fulfilment of these obligations has occasionally called for some sacrifice of personal inclination, his perseverance is the more commendable. If he can no longer do so--and this we infer from his public utterances— in returning to the hands of the electors the trust they reposed in him, he sets an example that might be profitably imitated by others who find themselves confronted by election pledges.