Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1875.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 315, 24 November 1875, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1875.

There is perhaps in New Zealand, certainly in Otago, no man whose opinion on any matter of New Zealand politics carries greater weight than that of Mr Macandrew, Superintendent of this Province. And deservedly so, for has he not spent the best years of his life in the public service of the Colony, and devoted his best energies to its welfare and advancement as a whole, and of Otago especially ? That he possesses ability of a very high order, and is not given to publish his views on important subjects without due consideration, is almost universally conceded. This being so, it naturally follows that any deliberate expression of his views on the political problems of the day are carefully perused by those over whom he has so lorn' ruled, and, unless a judicious restraint is placed upon the judgment, his utterances are apt to convey a strong bias in favor of the views he enunciates. Mr Macandrew has not lost the knack of appealing in the rmht manner to his hearers—an art which did much to place him in his present position, Hid which has largely assisted to his popularity. And no man knows the value of this jift better than our Superintendent, and how ;o turn it to the best account. It does not ‘ollow, however, that his sentiments, no matter how nicely put, are always to be taken is an infallible guide, nor even that they mean exactly what his words imply. The latest example of this is found in his “ Address to the People of Otago,” just issued from the press, and purporting to be a “ few thoughts as regards the present political situation.” As we have already said, probably no man in the Colony is able to expound the situation better than the author jjf this address, but this very ability also Darries with it the facility to frame arguments and color facts to suit the purposes of he particular creed of his party. A careful ttudy of Mr Macandrew's manifesto will ihow that many of his figures are open to (ueetion, while his “ facts,” in not a few intances, will not bear investigation. For example, ho boldly asserts, regarding the trogress and prosperity of this Province, hat it is “in no degree attributable to the istion of the Colonial Parliament.” Now we n common with most colonists were always mder the impression that to the Colonial I'arliament was due the credit, by means of tie Public Works and Immigration scheme, 4 having raised New Zealand from a position cf despondency and commercial stagnation t> the thriving condition it now enjoys, /jnother point on which his Honor puts conaderablo stress is, that if the Abolition Act comes into practical operation there is a strong probability of the pastoral leases being :enewed, which he assumes would not be the sase under Provincial administration. On ;his latter assumption it is scarcely worth while to speculate. When thepastoral leases 3xpire, supposing provincialism continued, it is just possible a Superintendent and Executive with widely different views on this subject might be in power, and the public have reason to know that Provincial Governments are quite as readily “ got at” by squatters and capitalists as the higher power. But even granting that the danger alluded to by his Honor exists, —and we cordially agree with him that it is a possibility to be averted by all and every means—it is in the hands of the people to return members pledged not to lend their support to any such proceeding. We do not conceive itatall incompatible with Abolition principles to oppose the renewal of pastoral leases, and it should be one of the main watchwords of the coming election that the land be made available for the settlement of the people at the expiration of the present holdings. We regret our inability to deal at greater length with Mr Macandrew’s Address, but will avail ourselves of the privilege on another day. While disagreeing with his Honor in many of his conclusions, we cannot but congratulate him on the able manner in which he has attempted to strengthen the cause of Provincialism. We fear, however, that in his zeal he has overshot the mark, and may have cause to feel disappointed at tlxe result.