MANUKAU.

Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1092, 2 December 1899, Page 9

MANUKAU.

'Should Auld Acquaintance be

Forgot ? '

Sib Geobge Maubice O'Rokke has established very strong claims npon the gratitude of the Manukan electors. For forty one years he haß represented the district in Parliament, and both in season and oat of season he has laboured indefatigably, and with considerable success, to promote and advance its local interests.

It is a popular delusion to imagine that as Speaker his hands are tied, or that his usefulness, from a local point of view, is minimised. Oo the contrary, ib is powerfully strengthened by reason of the perBonal influence that the Speaker exerts among members of all parties. The record of hia achievements sufficiently demonstrates thiß fact.

From a proviucial point of view, Auckland cannot spare Sir Maurice O'Rorke. He h*B ever been watchful of her claims, ever outspoken in hi 9 advocacy of them, and ever ready to make personal sacrifices to insist upon them. Can we ever forget that dramatic scene in the House, when he impeached the Ministry of which he was a member, for bringing down proposals inimical to Auckland, and wound up his impassioned harangue by flinging up his portfolio and deliberately crossing over from his seat on the Treasury benches to the other Bide of the House ? No, surely not. It was a sacrifice made to principle which no other Auckland member has ever emulated. Outside of Parliament, too, Sir Maurice has given us valuable service in fostering and developing our higher educational institutions Alone, of all our present members, he has earned the proud distinction of statesman, and it would be »heer folly to relegate such a man to private life.

Apart from all this. New Zealand cannot snare Sir Maurice O'Rorke. Ab a Speaker, there iB admittedly not his equal in any of the 1 colonies, and if the New Zealand House of Representatives has not yet been turned into a bear-garden, like some of the Australian Chambers, it is solely owing to the Btrong hand, the determined will, and the inflexible ruling of a man who, in his high offioe, will not allow party predilections to sway his judgment. Even the Btrong-willed Premier, in one of the closing scenes Of last session, felt the sting of Sir Maurice'B stern rebuke.

Of the three candidates who are standing for the Mannbaa seat in the Opposition interest, the one who iB moat likely to be a useful, active and thoroughly conscientious member, ia unquestionably Mr J. E.Taylor, Prohibitionist though he is. We admire him because he ha 3 the courage of his convictions, because he is an upright and honorable man, and became, from his devotion to doty on the Hospital Board, we are Bure he would be a member who would refleot credit upon Auckland. But again we Bay the claims of Sir G. Maurioe O Rorke upon Manubau and upon the province are paramount.