THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2817, 13 May 1872, Page 3

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —I see by your contemporary, the Lyttelton Times and Star that Mr Rolleston has asked the Colonial Government for a dissolution —a request I make no wonder at seeing what has transpired during the last few months. The crowing of the Lyttelton Times, and then giving no reasons why he has had to take that course, makes us think and weigh many things within ourselves. Let us see—the Superintendent is elected by the people of the province of Canterbury, aud is solely responsible to the people for its local government; then we have a set of men called an Executive, who for mouths past have been driving into our ears their responsibility of governing the country. I should like to ask, where is their responsibility ? They are only responsible to small parts or districts of the province as their representatives ; and I say without fear of contradiction that they do not represent the opinions of the majority of their constituencies at the present time. The Superintendent can be removed by the people petitioning the Governor, if his government is considered detrimental to the interests of the country. But I would like to ask how can you honestly do this, if that bad government is brought about by the Executive ; thus showing that two responsible Governments cannot work together. Let us come to the Railway enquiry. ! According to the correspondence between Mr Kennaway aud Mr Marshman, it seems to mc that Mr Marshman is Railway Manager and he is not Railway Manager : in so much j that he has not the power that is usually I given to railway managers, and yet they are determined that he will be deposed for allowing drunkenness to be carried on by i some of the workmen : but if report is true, and I for one fear it is, that the. Executive would like one of theirfriends in Mr Marshman's place, why do they not say so, and not take this mean, dirty, low way of dismissing j a good public servant. All this is against the Superintendent's wish. I have no doubt, and if report be true, Mr Maishman is tried by Jedborough Justice, and is condemned already, and it only requires the j sanction of the Provincial Council; and I may say that they will get that also, as long as the Provincial Council is composed of men putting in this claim for £30,000. i and that claim for so many thousands, and will never get good government. That is the reason in my mind why Mr Rolleston wants a dissolution, and he is quite right. The sooner the better, for himself and the country generally—

Some will say that such ideas are not miue, Insinuating as from others I would shine In name and fame at the expense of others. Like some, made rich by robbing their brothers.

This is no new idea of mine. I have seen this confusion coming over our Provincial Council for some time back, and could point out where it began. But to use the words of your contemporary, the Lyttelton Times. about the road steamer, "very little good will come out of ripping up the wretched past." Now, sir, the rest of the acts of the Governments of New Zealand will they not be found written in the second book of the chronicles of Your obedient servant. David Kaik.v.