RIGHT OF THE MILITARY TO VOTE AT ELECTIONS.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 864, 26 July 1854, Page 3

RIGHT OF THE MILITARY TO VOTE AT ELECTIONS.

The Australian and New Zealand Gazette , of April 8, mentions the presentation of a petition to Parliament, which, as some of our readers may possibly recollect, was got up after the contest for the Auckland Superintendency. As the matter lias a local interest, we subjoin the whole of our London contemporary’s notice of it: — “We perceive, by the Parliamentary reports, that a petition has been presented from Auckland, praying the House to prevent military men from interfering at elections. This is, of course, levelled at Colonel Wynyard, and is a perfect specimen of dog-in-the-manger-ism. We learn, for the first time, that the fact of holding her Majesty’s commission should deprive an officer of those political privileges about which the petitioners themselves are making so profound a fuss. This, to say the least of it, is contradictory. If the petitioners will reflect a little, they will perceive the absurdity of addressing such a petition to an assembly abounding with military men, all of whom, without exception, are in the habit of interfering in elections, even to feeing the electors. The petition is, in fact, a petition to military men to prevent other military men from looking sharply about them at election time. Were the House cognizant of the petitions presented—which it is not — the members must have had a hearty laugh at the simplicity of the colonists, who also, in their simplicity, were not aware that the House of Parliament was not the proper authority to address on the subject. “ Should the petitioners one day, as is very probable, see a Russian frigate entering their harbour, they will have cause for congratulation in such a ruler as Colonel Wynyard. They will then alter their tone; and when Colonel Wynyard has beaten off or sank the enemy, wc have no doubt but that the first act of those now opposed to military interference at elections, will he to petition Parliament to take no notice of their former petition—though this will be unnecessary.

“ Sir George Grey had returned, together with the Bishop of New Zealand, from a visit to some of the Pacific islands. A farewell dinner was given to the Governor on the 26th of December, which was attended by all the leading inhabitants. The demonstration was run down by the portion of the press which has always been hostile to the Governor, and from which has emanated the silly petition to which we have just adverted.”