THE COMPOSITION OF THE HOUSE OB REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 101, 13 October 1863, Page 7

THE COMPOSITION OF THE HOUSE OB REPRESENTATIVES.

The House of Representatives, when it meets on the 19th of next month, although composed largely of the same men who sat in the session of 1862, will miss some valuable members. It is impossible at present to speak of the loss or gain to the colony which may be the result of these several changes as the vacancies have been filled by men new to public life. One of the most prominent men who have withdrawn from the House, is Mr. Moorhouse, of Canterbury, who, in an address lately issued by him to the electors of the Heathcote district, informs his late constituents that he had forwarded his resignation to Auckland ; assigning as a reason for this step, that he "could not conceal from himself the fact, that he did not represent the feelings and opinions of the Canterbury public on the subject of Native affairs." Mr. A. Cox, a gentleman of considerable standing in the province, has been solicited to succeed Mr. Moorhouse as the representative of the Heathcote district, and from his reply to his requisitionists, we learn something of his opinion on the all important question, for he states that he has an " anxious desire to strengthen the hands of those engaged in the great work of securingto the North Island a speedy and permanent settlement of that vexed question, the Maori difficulty." For Akaroa, vacant by the retirement of Mr. White, there are two candidates, Mr. L. Walker, and Mr. B. Greaves. The former gentleman will "advocate the prosecution of the war, with a view to its speedy termination ;" and the latter, " believes that for a long time the Maoris have harboured the most sinister intentions towards our race in the North Island, and that everywhere they have, more or less, courted at our hands such a series of thrashings as will, if anything can, revive their loyalty to the Queen's supremacy, and stimulate their honesty to ourselves."

For Kaiapoi, vacant by the resignation of Mr. Cookson, Mr. Wilkins comes forward, at the request of a respectable body of electors, believing there can be "no satisfactory and lasting peace, until the war against the rebellious Maoris has been prosecuted to a successful issue."

Among the members of the Province of Canterbury, there will, apparently, be an identity of opinion on native affairs, with the single exception of Mr. Fitz Gerald, (unless a change has taken place in the opinions of the remaining members since last session, which is not very likely), and this will be a gain to Ministers. In the Province of Otago, a considerable change will have been made in the representation, four members having been added to it, and one of the former members, Mr. Dick, having retired. The successor of Mr. Dick, is Mr. Vogel, editor of the Otago Daily Times, a gentleman who, although not long a resident in the colony, may be supposed to be pretty well informed of its past history ; and we expect to find that the great majority of the southern members will be inclined to support the course the Government is now engaged in. An important victory in Waikato, before the House assembles, would materially strengthen the ministerial cause. In the other provinces, but few changes in the representation have taken place. Nelson and JVl arlborough send the Bame men as before, so also does Wellington, and we know of no change in Hawke's Bay. In Toruiaki, Mr. I. N. Writ baa resigned,

md Mr. Hanson Turton, whose name must >c familiar to all persons in New Zealand as i gentleman formerly connected A\ith the sVe-sleyan mission, at Taranaki, and latterly, vith the Native Department, lias consented o allow himself to be brought forward to fill he vacancy thus created. Of the changes vhich may have taken place in Auckland we •annot speak with certainty, but a prominent nembcr of the House. Mr. Carleton. Chairnan of Committees, will not be present, as he is at this time in England.

Looking at the present composition of the House, the feeling of the majority will be favourable to Ministers, unless they shall be proved to have been guilty of conduct which .should justly destroy public confidence The ta&k they have had before them has been one of extreme difieulty, and they are justly entitled to generous considerations ; so that although, as amongst themselves, there may have arisen circumstances which will render a partial reconstruction of the Ministry necessary, the necessity for such a change will arise from within, and not be forced by outward pressure.

[From the Nelson Examiner, September 15.]