Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4258, 12 November 1874, Page 2

It is always pleasant to notice evidence of good will and esteem towards public men by the constituents whom they serve; and no more agreeable instance of this kind has occurred of late than that which took place at Onehunga, on the evening of the 4th instant. Mr. G. M. O’Robke, member for the electoral district of Onehvmga,was presented, at a public meeting, with a service of plate by his constituents, as a mark of their esteem. As a public man, few have a more successful or consistent record to show than Mr. O’Rorke ; and although we differ from him in regard to the provincial system, to which he has pinned his faith, and for which he has made a sacrifice that no other member of the Provincial party would ever dream of making in his most exalted moment, we respect him highly as a politician. Of the decisive step which he took in leaving the Government, when the Premier had moved the resolutions affirming that Provincial Government should bo abolished in the Korth Island, we do not intend to speak. Ho was answerable to his own conscience and to iiis constituents. Doubtless lie stands well with the first; and his constituents have put it beyond doubt that he stands well with them. This is as it should bo ; and wo trust that Onehunga may long continue to be represented by Mr. OTlouke. Speaking of his withdrawal” from the Government, ho said : I had intended to have availed myself of this occasion to address my constituents on the rupture that i took place between myself and my colleagues at the end of last session of the General Assembly, but as this meeting was called for the specific object of the presentation, and as 1 had not notified my intention ; of addressing my constituents, I have come to the conclusion to defer that matter for the present, and beg you will excuse me if I trouble you again to assemble here when I have once more taken up my abode permanently amongst you. But this much I may say now now, In the presence of you who have insuch a marked manner stamped your approval upon my conduct—an approval which, next to that of my own conscience, is most dear to me, and would have been sufficient for my gratification without your putting yourselves to the expense of a costly testimonial. In the presence of you, I say that the step I took in retiring from a Government in which I had lost confidence was no hurried one, but taken after full consideration, and one that would be taken by me again under similar circumstances. Comment upon this brief utterance would bo useless; especially as Mr. O’Rorke will, in all probability, address the electors at an early date, and enter fully into an explanation of the matters which caused him to lose confidence in the Government of which ho was a member, and in which, wo presume, ho took care to state his opinion in Council. While on this subject wo may also note the pleasing circumstance, that Mr.'John Gillies received a substantial token of esteem from the electors of Waikouaiti. Mr. Gillies is comparatively a young politician, and although he posseases many qualities whi«h wo confess we do not

admire, yet he is a hard-working and intelligent member. It is possible even for Waikouaiti to be worse served in the Assembly than it has been by Mr. John Gillies, who will doubtless see the propriety of resigning his political offices, the retention of which as secretary and treasurer of the Otago Harbor Board would be manifestly improper. Believing, therefore, that Mr. Gillies is about to withdraw from. the arena of active politics, we are all the better pleased to find that his constituents have acknowledged his merit.