POLITICAL NEWS.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7742, 23 December 1890, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS.

THB PREMIER AND BIS CONSTI- * TTTEnTS.

Sir Harry Atkinson, the member for Egmont, returns thanks in a' somewhat lengthy address for again returning him to the Mouse of Bepresentafcivea. He excases himself for not having returned thanks at greater length immediately the result wast known; and (evidently intends to reach others besides his own constituents. After referring to his Inability, through ill-health, to render aay assistance to his friends during the election, and the gratification his victory bas afforded him on that account, he goes on to say;—" It is also gratifying because it shows that you nave recognised and approved the part I have taken in equalising the revenue aad expenditure, a task which three years ago you commissioned mc to undertake. Economy is always a popular cry from the hustings, but when it has to be applied in the constituencies it very often becomes anything but popular. It has unfortunately been my lot* upon more than one critical occasion in the history of the colony, to be called upon to face as Treasurer the necessity of providing for large deficits in the revenue, and consequently on pro* posing the unpleasant question of largo reductions in expenditure and increased taxation. It is, therefore, on the present occasion especially gratifying to mc that, notwithstanding the unpopular work which 1 have had to do, you have so markedly and generously recognised my endeavors to promote the public welfare ac well as the welfare of my own district. The weakness of our present system seems to mc that this spirit of" first looking to the colonial interests before local and personal is nob sufficiently recognised throughout the constituencies, and that so long' as this is so we shall not be clear of many serious difficulties. Our great want now is the broader colonial patriotism—which you have so lately displayed—in considering the necessities of the colony as a whole before the smaller local interests. While 1 hold these views, you know I hold with equal strength that a representative Iβ bound (as I have always endeavored to to see to the particular interests of his district, and I need hardly assure you that 1 shall continue to do all in my power to further the interests of Egmont.