PAYMENT OF MEMBERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4667, 28 October 1876, Page 6

PAYMENT OF MEMBERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sik, —You append to my protest against " payment of members" the following words:- "A large increase of the'amount paid to members follows necessarily upon the concentration of .administrative and legislative functions at. Wellington.—Ed." You will noi deem me captious or uncourteous in asking how does this follow ? The very reaction from the loose political talk (not worthy even of the name of dogmatism) which is unfortunately current amongst us, has begotten in me the habit, possibly a foolish one, of treating every political proposition as a proposition in Euclid. 1 insist upon being satisfied as to every step of the demonstration. Now, my first impression is that your dictum is but a desperate, haphazard thrust at the Act for the abolition of provincialism. How would you like it parried—in quarte or in tierce ? I am willing to concede any advantage, but should like to have it fairly out with you. Should I get the worst of it, which is very possible, X shall frankly confess. I care not to raise any question about " concentration," as you are pleased to use the word. We country settlers are as much opposed to concentration of power in Auckland or Dunedin as you can be to concentration in Wellington. We abhor the word. But we do not find fault with Auckland city for struggling to retain that power; or with you, whose main interests are linked with the city, for doing what you can in behalf of the city. - Instead of complaining of others for looking after their interests, we make fight for our own. lam quite alive to the political immorality of merely selfish considerations ; and therefore can only express my deep regret that such considerations should be forced upon us by the selfishness of others. But what if I let you use the word your own way ? What gain you thereby ? You say that a large increase of the amount paid to members necessarily follows " concentration." But is it not notorious that there are colonists, and plenty of them, superior to temptation of place or money, who, if elected, would cheerfully engage not to cost a penny to the State? And why (of course I speak in general terms, for we have already some of that stamp in the House) are such men not elected ? I can tell you why : Because such men would scorn to be intrigued with, to obey "wire-pullers," or to put their consciences in any keeping but their own.—l am, &.c, Hugh Carleton. Salona, Bay of Islands, Oct. 14, 1876.