THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, JANUARY 20. 1879.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5359, 20 January 1879, Page 2

THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, JANUARY 20. 1879.

The Morning Herald,of Dunedin, anxious for a weapon to assail the present Ministry with, makes a very gross attack on Mr. Dignan,—a gentleman who has for a number of years represented one of tho largest of our constituencies, and who, by his position, his influence, and his knowledge of public affairs, his experience in the Auckland Provincial Council and House of -Representatives, was clearly pointed out as a very fit man to occupy a seat in the Legislative Council. The statement of our Southern contemporary as to what Mr. Dignan's former position was is not true, but in our opinion that is a very small matter. There have been men in the Legislative Council for Years of whrnn ..mcli worse things might be said than tnat at one time they had occupied a position in the "rank-and-file of the British army." We should be sorry to think, indeed, that in the opinion of any British colonist that was a disgraceful position, and it certainly ought not to bo made a taunt against any man, even if lie became an "honourable." The inference sought to ! be conveyed is, that Mr. Dignan will simply obey orders in his capacity as a member of the Legislative Council. We venture to say that there will be no more independent member of the Upper House than Mr. Dignan. He has absolutely no personal interest to serve. He is not trying to acquire land for himself, and is not connected with any clique who are operating in that direction. He has never gained by politics, or attempted to gain. He ha 3 supported Sir George Crey's Ministry in the House of Representatives, and has done so notwithstanding many powerful influences in an opposite direction, thus showing his independence. Probably he would be found a supporter of the Ministry in the Legislative Council, but his support would be independent, and the result of conviction that they wore acting rightly. Of all men, he is the least likely to be touched by any corrupt influence. The Ministry, we take it, has it in its power to nominate members to the Upper House, so that it may fulfil its proper functions, and not simply remain an obstruction to the House of Representatives and the country.