THE MEMBER FOR TUAPEKA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10306, 13 March 1895, Page 3

THE MEMBER FOR TUAPEKA.

TO THE EDITOE.

Sib, —Kindly permit me throaghthe columns of your paper to ask the reason of the Hob. Mr Lainach's protracted delay in fulfilling his political pkdgei to his constituents in the matter of unfolding his political views to them in an address. Mr Larnach when seeking our suffrages led us to believe, both by press advertisement and from the platform, that he would give a full account of his stewardship immediately after the close of the session, and identify himself with the wants of the district. In the House Mr Larnsch seemed' to have observed a diEcreet siloaca throughout tho session, playing, in fact, the part of the " dumb dog." Certainly since the close of the session he hai written a few letters to the Premier oa the Waipori river difficulty and introduced to the Tariff Revising Commissioners a deputation of Teviot fruitgrowers, to whom he administered at the same time a sound slap on the face for daring to question the soundness of the reciprocal treaty negotiated by our immaculate Colonial Treasurer with the South Australian" Government. Beyond that, how« ever, we are, as far as is publicly known, entirely alienated from our member. When we elected Mr Larnach to represent us in Parliament we were led away by—as it appears now—the delusion that we had secured the political services of a man of unquestionable consistency, aud one who had distinguished himself for more tbsm a quarter of a century m the political world. Well, Sir, how has our idol panned out ? In my opinion purely and simply a duffer. Before he was 24- hours' the member for Tuapelsa he crossed swords with Mr Scobie Mackenzie, but the history of the duel is so well known that it will hardly bear repetition ; suffice it to say that the susceptibilities of a large section of his supporters received a big snock, and the more ardent of us set our conscience at ease by convincing ourselves that he would be sure to give a full and satisfactory explanation of his action in dealing with the Abolition of Dual Voting Bill in his next address to his constituents. As neither an address nor an explanation baa yet come from Mr Larnach, we must now take it for granted that that and other equally serious charges thrown in his face by his clever opponent were only too true. Can it ba possible, Sir, for Mr Larnach to think that the electors of Tnapeka are satisfied at his merely migrating to Wellington for two or three months and giving, comparatively speaking, silent votes on important legislative questions, and pocketing £20 a month, and at the expiration of the session coolly return to his castle, where he still draws his £240 a year, and evidently without the least intention of coming within "coo-ec" of the nearest point of the electorate he pretends to represent ? If this, Sir, is a proper estimate o£ the duties of the representative of a farming and mining constituency, they are indeed a mere sinecure, and not worth the candle. It strikes me now that Mr Larnach will not cross our electoral boundary until it suits his own personal interests to do so, and that will be when the country calls for a fresh election. I am not insinuating, Sir, that Mr Lamach lacks the ability to represent is Parliament this or any other electorate with credit; to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Reference to his past history would sweep away charges of that nature. However, there is an old saying that "familiarity breeds centempt," and in trying to account for our member's political lethargy I am forced to the belief that, owing to a long acquaintance, politics have lost; a great deal of their charm for him. He cannot, now, throw, himself into them with the same fervour, tenacity, and energy as a younger man who has yet to win his spurs. As to which o£ the two is the better man to entrust with tho responsibility of dragging the country out of its present " slsugh of despond " must, of course, be left to the intelligence of the electors to decide when the proper time comes. — I

am, &c,

Teviot, March 4. Advance New Zeaiahd.