The Poverty Bay Herald AND East Coast News Letter. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1881.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 1352, 21 June 1881, Page 2

The Poverty Bay Herald AND East Coast News Letter. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1881.

The conclusion to be arrived afc by the absence of our representative from the session of Parliament at Wellington, is that we, as a district, independent of his exertions, will receive fair consideration at the hands of Ministers, or that his presence or absence from his duties does not materially affect our interests. If we can get what is desired without any action on the part of Mi". McDonald it will be well. Hitherto he has been silent as to what his intentions are. Petitions and representations have been made to him by various bodies, and to every matter which has been urged, he has promised his support. But unfortunately lie is not able at present to attend personally to them. We are certainly, at this time in the unenviable position of being unrepresented — practically disfranchised through the private duties and business of our member requiring his attendance elsewhere. These, he has placed before the services which are due to his constituents. Especially at the commencement of a session, is the presence of our representative required, and if he, through inability of whatsoever nature, is prevented from putting in an appearance, we are placed at the tender mercies of a Government, which may be disposed to do justice to our requirements, but may not do so, and reasonably say, while withholding aught from us, " your representative has not informed us of the nature of your claims."

So far as we have been informed Mr. McDonald lias received the views of many of oar local bodies, and he has been requested to advocate them in his place in Parliament. The County Council, after mature consisideration have in a letter addressed to him, stated many important amendments required in the working of the Counties' Act, besides informing him on other matters concerning the

general welfare of the district. He has not disregarded the cotnmunication, and he will, no doubt, attend to the matters which have been referred to, should it be convenient. This is just what is objected to. Convenience and private interests should be made subservient to the public weal. We demand this much from a representative, and expect it without having the necessity of directing his attention to it. He' is placed in a position where his every action is narrowly scrutinised, and should he step aside from the straight path of his public duties, or make them only of secondary importance, the electors will hold him answerable for any neglect which they may hereafter suffer. The commissions (if we may so call them) which he has received are numerous, and our public bodies and institutions are prepared to back him up in his attempt at executing them. But what do we find 1 A discussion in Parliament has already taken place with reference to the constitution of our local bodies. Mr. McDonald has been primed with suggestions which have occurred to those who have had the practical working of these institutions. Much time has been occupied, and a great deal of thought exercised in arriving at the hints which have been offered for his guidance. Now, when the opportunity serves, however, the folios of closely-written foolscap containing all that has been urged, are perhaps, lying in the recesses of his coat pocket, unscanned and unthought of. The Bill affecting local bodies will be the. most important one submitted to Parliament this session, and it is therefore necessary that our member should devote his attention to it before it be disposed of by the House. As it will be forced on for discussion at an early date we trust to find him at his post without delay. Then with reference to the Licensing Bill which is now being discussed iv Committee. Several valuable suggestions have been offered him by the Licensed Victuallers' Association here, which, for anything we know, may never be divulged in Parliament, as it is probable the measure will have been carried before he arrives in Wellington.

In this, as in other matters, we are induced to trust to the practical wisdom of the House rather than the special ability of our member, who may console himself with the fact that though he were present the results would not be materially affected. Still, it is due to us, if we have our grievances and crotchets that we should air them occasionally in Pailiament. Other districts, which have members gifted with " gab " fare as well, if not better than we have done. It is not desirable that our representative should be a talker. He has hitherto based his claims as being an active " lobbyist," and not a speaker. He has accomplished some good for vs — that we must all Rdrnit. If he does not wish to forfeit the respect in which he has been held, he should now be on his good behaviour, and despite his other engagements, proceed at once to occupy his place and fulfil the responsibilities of his office. Whether it be by lobbying or eloququence, we do not care, provided he is where the interests of his constituents require his attendance.