OUR M.H.R.'S. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6496, 7 December 1882, Page 4

OUR M.H.R.'S. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—While thanking you. for your criticism, which is as generous as it iai just, if jaota little more so, and still nibre for so-patriotic cally assisting me to bring a great truth before the eyes of our working men, I still must differ from you when you say that" "it is not the fault of the electors that the best men are not sent." The best men, it is true, do not present themselves as candidates now; but why? Simply because they know that they have; no chance in the present state of the political education and feelings of fth'p masses. We have only to look at the number of-able men that were thrown out of the present Parliament by the popular vote, to see that .the ablest;men have tjie poorest chance of election. Happening lately to meet an influential elector.of Geraldine, and talking of the rejection of Mr Wakefield, he remarked, "Mr Wakefield, sir, is one of the ablest men in Now.Zealand.- It would never. have done to let him sit, so we went for him in the. Opposition papnr in every way we could, by private influence and

party .organisation,, and 'managed by a hard struggle to keep him out." The same gentleman ridiculed the economical

policy of the Hall Ministry, and thought it a high qualification in a member " to make.the money go." I regret that you give so useful a discussion a personal turn, by asking" Why does not 'Watchdog' become a,representative ?" I hate egotism, but don't mind telling you in confidence that he once did try for: the representative business. There was no honorarium for that seat, so it must either have been from vanity or patriotic motives'that "Watchdog" sought the . suffrages of the animals. However that might be, he made.as diligent a canvass of the 'different genera as the principles and the,; 'pride of "• an honest " Watchdog " jrauld'allowV^and whilst , doing so was told by the sheep-th'at:he was;too useful where he was, to go to be promoted over the animals^ The'goats thought it might be inconvenient to have him prowling about loose, as representatives generally do, whilst they were cropping the roses of the neighbouring garden ; and that it might, too, be awkward for the kids, as he was known to hold very dogmatic ideas on moral education. The wolves said it would never do to have such a powerful animal in such an important position, and-the more especially as he was known to hold very conservative ideas about his master's property— which in this ease was that of the State—arid that they must "go for him" with tooth and nail to prevent him getting in. The rabbits —a very powerful family, which lays claim to be the coming man—said that there would not be the least chance for them with such legislators; while the'very rats feared that he might introduce a lot of terriers, in. the shape of his "cousins and his aunts, that might make it too hot for them. It was finally resolved, at a great caucus of. the animals held on the village "greeni that it would be safest for all interests to elect«the donkey to represent them—and they did.' This is why "Watchdog" is not an M.H.R.; and this is why many nobler animals than he do not come forward-as candidates. ' ' : . ~

Notwithstanding this personal diversion'introduced by you, probably >to ■ shield ■ irom criticism your Dunedin members,'on which, you seem to be a little tender, as: a good husband when his wife is not very passaßlei' I do not mean to be turned from my purpose; but as this letter is getting longj' I must defer: my review of your M.H.R.'s till my; next, i- 1 am, &c, , "'...■"..' '.'■ i:-'-' :■:.'' Watchdog.' Decembersth.,. ,:■'.,''■ ~' :."• ' [We hope "Watchdog." will have mercy on us, and not make his next " very long."—

News has been received of the sale in England of the celebrated Harriet pearl, lately found by Messrs Roy and .Wrightson, near Roebuck Bay, in Western Australia.' :The price realised was £1500. :The pearl weighed 32J carats, and would have fetched £2000 but for a slight flaw. . . ••;. :. '"':;■,;„> .■■:. ■