THE CITY MEMBERS. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3365, 18 November 1872, Page 3

THE CITY MEMBERS. TO THE EDITOR.

Bm—l am somewhat'surprised that neither the Hon. Mr Batbgate nor the Hon. Mr Reynolds has met the electors of Diimedin. Mr Reynolds, -when he had Mr Birch as his colleague, met the citizens by himself, and Mr Birch,- following this example, also met his constituents. It is no excuse to say that the Hon. Mr Bathgate wouM have met his constituents had the Hon. Mr Reynolds been here sooner. He should have done it before. Now, however, that l»th are in Duncdin, let them mcettheirconstifcuentefacetoface. None of them have anything to fear. They will, E feel assured, both receive a warm receptioti—for have they not voted for progress ? They have both supported Mr Vogcl in his grand colonising scheme; both have approved of the Broaden contract*. And if Mr Brogden should employ Chinamen, "well, Messrs Bathgate and 15eynolds cannot help that, so long as there is progress. Besides, Mr Bathgate supported economy, and if it was not carried out in all particulars he has at /my rate been the means of saving a large sum of money to the Colony —namely, five hundred pounds a year. It is true be used the phrase by inadvertence, that "he had got all lie wanted," and there were not wanting rjuibblers at the phrase ; but that is easily explained. It was economy he wanted, and he got it by being appointed to an office that lessened our three hundred thousand pounds annual expenditure on the Civil Service by live hundred pounds— nay, more, when the Ministry retires, Mr Batbgate, like Mr Gisborne, will get the Doput.yship sis a permanent non-political office, and we may have no more need of a Minister of Justice. Then, again, there is much need of some one deeply conversant with our true position, meeting the electors. "Master Humphrey" and other "bilious young men " have been treating us to all kinds of figures. As men of progress we know they are all wrong, and that anybody troubled with dyspepsia can twist figures to mean anything. Strange to say, no one except my friend "Countryman " has replied to these "cavillers" with yellow spectacles. Now, who could better support my friend "Countryman" than Mr Batbgate? He has had large experience in railway management. He has always been, as his recent appointment shows, and the number of members in the Vogel-Bathgate Ministry proves, an ardent disciple of Joseph Hume and Cocker, and all the other economists. Who then ho able to help my friend " Countryman" against "Master Humphrey,*' and all the other cavillers? As■ for Mr Reynolds, he knows what amount of railways the North Island gets in comparison with the South, and the capitation allowances, and native •wnr expenditure and loans. He is an adept at blue books, and these are jufit the kind of things wontedculigbtenment about. 1 would (and 1 think all men who have " souls above sixpences," who are progressive men and not dyspeptic clodocratic people) take it most kindly if one of the honourable members would meet us and explain matters. I know my friend "Countryman," who is not (I mention this for your private information. Sir Editor) at all pleased with " Matter Humphrey's" last letter, -would throw up his hat with delight and cry, "Hurrah for Mr Bathgate! Hurrah ! " would our city members only meet them, and crush these dyspeptic yellowfipectacleil arithmetic monsters like " Master Humphrey." I am, «tc. A FniK.su oi* Copntuvman's.