The Otago Witness.

Otago Witness, Issue 740, 3 February 1866, Page 10

The Otago Witness.

DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3.

Considering the important questions at stake, and which must be discussed at the next ses-ion of the General Assembly, there is very little excitement in Otago concerning the coming elections. It would

seem a question, which should take the initiative, the electors or those who wish to be chosen representatives. So far as matters have proceeded, those candidates now in the field have been invited to come forward by requisitions more or less numerously signed, and are principally those who have had some Parliamentary experience. There i°, no question, an advantage in having something to refer to in the history of one to whom is intrusted the representation of the views and interests of the inhabitants of an electoral district. The conduct of a candidate in previous sessions forms the credential for the confidence that may be reposed in him. A man who has had some experience, provided his vofes and opinions have been, consistent and honest, other things being equal, is at a 1 times to be preferred to one who is untried and strange to the work. But with an increase in the number of electoral districts several fresh members must of necessity be chosen, and it is of the highest moment that the most influential and able men in the Province should be selected. This is one of the plainest and most obvious duties of those who are endowed with the privilege of election. Why the indifferentism which prevails should exist, is difficult to explain. Any reason that can be assigned must be purely speculative. It cannot be supposed that the electors as a body would be willing to be legally disfranchised, and yet, by their apathy they

-virtually disfranchise themselves. The "power of choosing representatives, which continental nations have sought to acquire, many times at the point of the sword, is scarcely sufficiently valued by thousands in Otago, to induce them to record a vote. This is the more surprising, as public meetings on the questions of the day are numerously attended, and a sufficient -amount of enthusiasm is manifested. On the subject of the Separation of the North from the South Island, whenever an expression of public opinion has been neceasary, the people have assembled in num"berf, and have shewn no want of interest in the question ; but now, when representatives are needed to give expression to their views, no steps are taken to secure the most efficient .men.

Bat although this is the rule, there have "been exceptions. In one or two instances meetings of the electors have been held to take into consideration whom they should invite to become candidates. This is as it should be. When such a step is taken, although of necessity there will not always be that ca^ thoughtfulness and deliberation which would lead a looker-on to the conviction that the best man -would be invited apart from personal considerations, there is an opportunity of ascertaining the feeling of the most influential men in the -electoral district, and of thu3 only soliciting those to come forward who are worthy •of confidence and likely to meet with support. Without some guarantee for sucees3, no man of ability would undergo the labor, expense and excitement of an election. If there is honor in being the one chosen from among thousands to represent their views and interests in the Assembly, the electors also owe much to those who, without emolument, give time and talent to their service. The labor and responsibility of a member ol Parliament are onerous. The talent required is something different from that which suffices for pursuing with success the ordinary avocations of life. All experience at home proves that statesmanship is a calling ■which may be successfully pursued by one ■who has even a positive distaste for everyday business pursuits. It requires different mental cultivation ; and while sound -economic principles must be understood and carried into practice, a wider range of thought and action is requisite. It may, therefore, be necessary to look beyond the circle of acquaintance dwelling in an electoral district where the pursuits are confined to routine, and little likely to foster an aptitude for public business. It may be necessary or advisable to seek to secure some one as a representative known but to few in the district, and a meeting of the electors is the fittest plan to bring his name and the reasons why they should choose him prominently before them. On every ground, therefore, such meetings are advisable. The wants of the district are considered, the names of eligible men are suggested, their views on the most important questions are made known, and some unity of action on the part of the electors, or a majority of them, is secured. It is time now for the electors to shake off the apathy that has so long prevailed amongst them. Parties opposed to the interests of the Province are active in other parts of the Colony. They are eager in endeavouring to return men whose actions have proved detrimental to the best interests of New Zealand, and especially ■of Otago ; and the only way in which their policy can be counteracted, is by choosing representatives equal to the approaching crisis. Let the electors take time by the firelock, for the Elections are close at kand.