The Press. WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1873.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2491, 30 July 1873, Page 2

The Press. WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1873.

Auckland is an extraordinary place, and the local politicians are extraordinary people. Things are done there, apparently as matters of course, which if attempted in any other part of the colony would create a perfect uproar. Considering the political position to which the province aspires, and the claim the city arrogates to be the seat of the Colonial Government, it is amazing what indifference is displayed, we do not say to the honorable refinements, but to the commonest decencies of public life. Politics in Auckland, like poverty, accustom a man to strange companions, and introduce him to the queerest of experiences. A singular instance has just come under our notice. Some while ago Mr M'Leod, member of the House of I_epreseutatives for the Bay of Islands —in whose behalf as against Mr Carleton, the Native Minister was obliging enough to canvass the Maori voters— resigned his seat. Several candidates appeared to contest the vacancy ; among others, Mr Macfarlane, a well-known merchant and business man of Auckland. Some suspicion arose that Mr Macfarlane had put pressure on Mr M'Leod to induce him to resign, and at the nomination that gentleman undertook to inform the electors how the case stood. He did so in the very frankest manner. One would naturally have expected that he w r ould have denied the action imputed to him, or have tried to explain it away. But he did nothing of the kind. On the contrary, he avowed without hesitation that he had bought Mr M'Leod out, and told the electors all about it, down to the very amount he had paid him. He began by saying that he wanted to be in the Assembly for a particular purpose, namely, to get the law altered in certain matters relating to rivers and the timber trade. He had tried last year to effect his object, but was not successful, as Government, though favorably inclined, were afraid of taking up the question lest they should offend members whose votes were precious. But the present Government had his entire confidence, and were prepared to support the proposed alteration in the law ; and therefore he desired to be in the Assembly to assist them in that good work. One session would be enough to make the necessary amendments in the law, and, that being accomplished, he would retire into private life again. Having thus given his reasons for wanting a seat, he went on to explain the steps he had taken to procure one. "It has been stated," he said—we quote from the report in the " New Zealand Herald " of the 21stinst---"that I had put the screw on, and forced Mr M'Leod to resign, in order that I might get the seat. Now, the fact is that I advanced him £200 on tbe condition that he should resign, as I considered that his being in the House was an injury to the province. A . friend of Mr M'Leod, a man who appeared to be anxious to assist him, came to mc, and I took certain liabilities off his hand on condition that Mr M'Leod should resign, I taking Mr M'Leod's bill for the same, for the payment of which ho will never be asked by mc. If lending a man £200 be screwing him up, then I am the guilty party." He then proceeded to state " that he was a director in thirteen companies," which he seemed to think a great point in his' favor, and to enlarge on his other personal qualifications for the post he was seeking, into which we need not follow him. The poll was to take place on Tues* day. We havo not heard the result; but, if Mr Mfttffftflaue is elected, it ig

possible that, when ho make his appearance in the House, some unpleasant questions will be asked as to how he came there. Tie attempt to bribe a member is a breach of privilege ; aud we do not ccc much difference between giving a member money for his vote, and giving him money to resign his seat. The integrity and independence of the Legislature is as much assailed by one proceeding as the other. But what striked 'us as the most remarkable riling of all, is the tone in which Mr Macfarlane recounts the above circumstance.. He seems utterly unconscious of having committed any impropriety. He had excellent reasons for wishing to be in Parliament, and, as there was no seat to be had in the ordinary way, what was more natural than that he should buy one ? Nay, he seems to be rather proud of his bargain. He evidently believes that he has done a meritorious action; since, by getting rid of Mr M'Leod and offering himself in his place, he has given the district the opportunity of changing a bad member for a good one. And thia appears to be the general feeling in Auckland. For neither of the other candidates, nor any of the electors present at the nomination, objected to Mr Macfarlane on the ground of his transaction with Mr M'Leod ; nor, so far as we have observed, has it excited any unfavourable comment —or, indeed, any comment at all—from the press or the public.