THE HAWKE’S BAY TIMES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 4, 25 July 1861, Page 2

THE HAWKE’S BAY TIMES.

NAPIER, THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1861.

Ix the constitution of all modern Governments, which are not entirely of an autocratic kind—that is in all which have in them anything of the popular element, a system of check is provided, by means of which the several —often opposing—interests which are represented, or of which they are composed, are retained in equilibrium, so that on the one hand the anarchy and confusion of mob-rule is prevented, and on the other the rights and liberties of the people are preserved to them. In that of the mother country, perhaps the best example at present existing, there are the three Estates, called the Crown, Lords, and Commons, representing and conserving the rights and privileges of royalty, nobility, and people, each element constantly manifesting the greatest possible jealousy of an invasion of their respective rights. In the constitutions conferred on the colonies, the same idea is developed, though in a somewhat different manner, particularly in the minor governments called Provincial, where the system of check's is carried to a further extent than in the Home Government, in that its head, the Superintendent, is elected by the people, or, as is the case in new Provinces, by their representatives, and is responsible to them, — which representatives likewise limit and define the powers exercised by such head, and such executive officers as he may please to appoint. Now, as the perfection of the system consists in the equilibrium maintained

by the antagonistic interests of the several parties represented, it will at once be seen and admitted that anything which tends to weaken or destroy such equilibrium should be most carefully guarded against; and yet, as a rule, we find that Superintendents have _ I . * 1. amays ciiaeavuiucti lO increase uieir own influence and weaiven that of the Council by the creation of salaried offices with which to reward and retain the suffrages of their supporters. The power to remedy this evil is in the hands of the constituency, hy ordaining that, on the acceptance of any such office by a member of Council, such officer shall resign Ins seat, and by appealing to the body of electors give them an opportunity of deciding whether or not he shall continue to represent them in Council. So farthings are as they should be, and it is only to be regretted that' electors have too often been led astray, and have returned to the Councils so many Government dependents as to overrule the voices of their unpaid and independent representatives. Well, let past follies teach future wisdom ; as we have suffered the consequence of want of caution in times past, let us henceforward exercise due care to keep away from the Councils every salaried official who may desire our sufiran-es. It must be admitted that the possession of a pecuniary advantage dependent on the will of a Superintendent will detract from the independence of Council members in proportion to the amount of the salary received hy them. It is no less true in politics than in other things, that—- “ About two hundred pounds a-year Will make a doctrine plain and clear.” And it must be so while human nature is what it is. Now, as there is a strong probability that the electors of this Province will shortly be called upon to exercise the duty and privilege of the franchise, in consequence of a contemplated enlargement of the Council, it behoves us all to he strictly on our guard against this abuse. A mere enlargement of the Council may deceive the electors, but cannot and will not remedy tile evil of which we complain. No; —all persons receiving pecuniary benefit from the Provincial funds must he excluded from the benches; —those whom we elect to represent our interests must he independent of all counter-influences, and most especially of that which the executive lias the power to exercise in the form of salaries. Let ns hear these points constantly in mind, anti act strictly hy them when called on to return representatives to Council— to reject every one who is in receipt of Government pay; and to exact a pledge from those we elect that they will not accept of any salaried office under the Government.