REFORM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1331, 21 February 1868, Page 3

REFORM.

To the iiditor of the Kbraid. Sik, —There is a'great deal being; aaid now on reform, but as you justly observed in your valuable paper, no good i< likely to emanate from the movement unless the agitatera have some point to work at. It appears t-j me, the samn ae it does t j you Mr. K'ditor, that this gen? ral condemnation will go n9 farther then tbe ear, and reform will be as distant from us in tan years' time, as it it 13 aow, it must be evident to nil who give this subject a moment's consideration that unless some object is raided up as a beacon to guide our course, as an object to be gain: 1 which we tan constantly keep our eye on, and Btriva after, I gay unless there is some object chosen to begin upon, we are likely to go on complaining and hearing complaints until the end of time.

I don't exactly like the tille of the society, I think the simple name " tieform' Association, would have been much mom comprehensive, theone chosen looks too much as tU:ngh it wus only in the hands of th.9 mercantile class, whilst the latter would most ele-.rly set forth the general public, and we could then go in for a reform, such us we could hope to accomplish or obtain, but I fear that reform will Only bo known by name amongst us, unles3 we oouli get some «uch s.n. Act passed as the following.

" An Act to improve the representation of the people :■—Where nan ordinance was enacted by the Imperial Government, imitulsi the New' Zealand Constitution Act, 1853, in which provision ia made for the representation of the people in the Government of the Colony, but, Whereas no provision ie made therein for the removal of any representative that may neglect trifle or birter with the privileges, liberties and interests of his constituents, be it there* fore enacted that th-- 'Electors' of any electo-al district within the province of Auckland, shall "be and are herewith empowered to revoke or countermand their v<jfcn or votes, by which they may have returned a member &s representative of their interests in the General Assembly, or Provincial Council. Provided always that it can be proved that the aaid member or representative hes failed 10 represent tbe interests of hie constituency, or by his vote in either of the above Hou-es hae acted contrary to thf wishes of the electors who returned him." Another clause to revoke or nullify that clause in ths Imperial Act, in referenoa to length of time allowed, ia cases of che above nature, and another one to bring the Act into operation, would I think be all ihat wouli be required. It is no use saying such an Act is not needed, it is, inasmuch as too many go into the House, to serve their own turn, and nut to serve the public good, as was stated on Friday evening last ; th. y represent themselves, not the public, and in such, cases the people are left without any representative in the Government, and it ie absurd and foolish Jto blame a people for returning such a member. "We cannot tell what a man is uu til we have tried him, and it ia only just that we should have the power to recall or cart off a member who " will njt" represent us.— I am, &c, K.O.u.