Correspondence.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XV, Issue 1131, 30 April 1858, Page 3

Correspondence.

* # * Our correspondence columns being impartially open, we are not to be identified with any opinion expressed therein.

To the Editor of the Southern Cross Sir,— lt appears that there is a disposition amongst some of the Electors of this Province to have the seats now vacant in the House of Representatives filled byMilitary men. Balneavis, Symonds, and Haultain are now on the list of Candidates for Legislative honors, Are we about to stand in need of a great concentration of Military talent ? Are the people in tremors about a Maori insurrection, and is the art of war the only art adapted to the present state of the Colony ? No doubt a Military Legislature would look well to the establishment of Military Stations, and the erection of defences, which, with the increase in Government appointments thereby required places would be found for many who want them, and an efficient dram on the public purse | set to work . Military men are good in their place, but that place is not the Legislative circle of a rising commercial and agricultural colony such as this. Their education, pursuits, and associations in no way suggest to their minds our paramount wants. They are prone to undervalue commercial and agricultural pursuits, by which, chiefly a young colony advances and is sustained, and moreover, they are apt to consider that the man who has descended from an ancient family, is much superior to him who has risen by industry from an humble one. There are noble exceptions, but as a class such are Military men. Experience has shown that the the best guarantee of peaceful relations between nations or races is the extension of their trading connections. Such is pre-eminent-ly the fact with regard to the two races inhabiting these Islands, the trader has done infinitely more than the soldier in establishing that feeling of mutual interest that at present exists, and is correspondingly better fitted to Legislate upon matters affecting the interests of the two rices. There may be some degree of appropriateness in Balneavis and Symonds appearing as candidates for the Pensioner Settlements, but it is puzzling to discover in which way Capt. Haultain would prove a suitable member for the Southern Division. D. Graham, the other candidate, has, in every way, superior claims. No private gentleman has travelled more over the Southern

Division than he has ; from Remuera to Taupo he li "» made himself familiar with almost every part of the country, and nearly every settler. " A Tamaki Elector" bnsely insinuated, in the ' NW ZeaUnder,' thut D. Giahara has mi stake — not even :i poikchop — in the Southern Division. I rather think lie (the Tamaki Elector) must be misinformed, and I beg to inform him that if his stake in the Southern Diusiori 'is as large as D. Graham's he may count himself well off. When Capt. Beckham stood for the City, a very tenable objection to his return was raised, viz., his filling the office of Resident Magistrate. It was presumed that political bias might disturb the balance of just judgment. Is not Captain Haultain Resident Magistrate for Howick? and, consequently, the same objection to Ma return exists. The passion for political supremacy is not at all times characterized with moderation and fairness, and the mere possibility that political opponents might suffer martyrdom in the little Court at Ilowiclc is a sufficient reason why Cipt. Haultain should withdraw from the contest. Capt. Haultain is, I belive, an honorable gentleman, and I should be sorry to see him fill a position that would lay him open to any unworthy suspicions. Is he not in receipt of two Government salaries, for his services as "Returning Officer and hi 9 services as Magistrate ? If he were returned, and supported the Government who pay him, there would be found tongues to siy, " It was to be expected" ; and if he opposed the Government he might, as the saying is, " find it out to his cost," as another Resident Magistrate has. D. Graham, by his persistent exposure of the personation cases of the Election for the Suburbs made, no doubt, some political enemies (I hope the animosity of the Tamaki Elector is not traceable to that souce) ; he made, also, many valuable supporters, who, I have no doubt, now that the General Government are anxious to make an improvement on our Electoral system, will secure his return, as that of the man who effected the most glaring exposure of the corrupt electioneering practices through which Representives, Councillors, and Superintendents aie made. i Yours, &c, An Elector.. Waiuku, 28th April. [We insert the letter, as an expression of opinion, because it comes from an old correspondent. But during the present corrupt state of the roll we do not interfere with elections. Mr. Graham has been among the most active in endeavouring to purify the roll-; we shxll now see whether his efforts are to be visited upon him. — Ed.j -