THE Wellington Independent. "NOTHING EXTENUATE; NOR SET DOWN AUGHT IN MALICE." TUESDAY MORNING, 20th JUNE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2221, 20 June 1865, Page 3

THE Wellington Independent. "NOTHING EXTENUATE; NOR SET DOWN AUGHT IN MALICE." TUESDAY MORNING, 20th JUNE.

ME. EOBEET PHARAZYN 'S CANDII DAT UllE. i It is with no ordinary feelings of satisfaction, : that wo welcome the appearance of Mr j Eobert Pharazyn. in the Held, as a candidate to represent the Rangitikei electors in the General Assembly. His address, which ap- ! pears elsewhere in our column* to-day, fully explains the motives which, have induced liim to come forward, and gives at the same time a general exposition of his views. At the first glance, we could have wished that he had expressed his opinions somewhat more in detail, but on more careful consideration, | it becomes evident that nothing could be a ' more difficult task for a candidate at the ! present moment, than to put forth dogmatic sentiments on the numerous important questions which will como up for discussion during the approaching session. Mr Pharazyn is too modest and too conscientious to do this. In his address ho says .- — *' It is impossible even to touch upon the many constitutional i and financial questions whicli aro curtain, to be considered during the next Session. On some of these I have written, in a manner which I am proud to say, mot with Iho approval of Mr Fox, and induced him to express a wish that I should become a member of the House of Representatives. But for this encouragement, and that of several persons whose opinions arc of equal weight, I should scarcely have ventured to ask you to elect me to a position, which always honorable, is rendered still more so by having been occupied by William Fox. Before the day of nuiuiiiaiion, I hope lo mret the electors of' the various place* in (iic district, when I shall be ablo to state my views more fully than it is possible to do here." This is a very satisfactory explanation of Mr Pharazyn's difficulty, and if his natural diffidence had allowed him to be more explicit, j he might have added that during the last two years he has contributed articles to this journal, which have not only been stamped by the approval of Mr Fox, but what is of greater importance still, have been reprinted into every leading colouial journal, and recognized by the colonists generally, as a sound and honest exposition of their sentiments, penned by an able writer. That Mr Pharazyn is a man of ability, there is thus no question whatever, but that is only one of the recommendations which he possesses. In a young and rising State, nothing can be more hopeful or satisfactory in looking towards the future, than to find that the rising generation take an active and intelligent interest in . politics. Hitherto, such has not been the case in Wellington, as political affairs have been mainly left in the hands of those old and esteemed Bettlcrs, who have shared the fortunes of the Province through weal and through woe since its foundation. Tlie time is now fast approaching when other and younger men will take the place of thoso who have hitherto served us so ably and so well. Mr Robert Pharazyn is almost the first representative of those coming men. As the son of one of our longest established merchants, his boyhood has been passed in the Province — iudeed with the exception of a brief interval, devoted to theacquirementofa superior education in Europe — his whole lifo may he said to have been spent in our midst. He is thus familiar with the requirements of tho colony, while he possesses a sufficient stake in it, to render its interests identical with his own. Thia latter is a consideration of more importance than might at first sight be supposed. A man may take up politics as a business to make what he can of it, but Mr Pharazyn is nofc one of this class. His position renders him entirely independent of place, and he is only ambitious of being elected, " because ifc affords him an opportunity of being useful to his fellow colonists." It is so seldom that a gentlemen can be found who comes forward on such really patriotic principles, that we cannot help wishing that he may achieve that success which his honest profession so fully merits. That Mr Pharazyn is comparatively unknown personally to the Rangitikei electors, will perhaps to somo extent tell against him. But, while he possesses the confidence, and has tho earnest recommendation of every man of repute here who has done good service to them this reason will bave but little weight. Hitherto Ean gitikei has been known and honored throughout the Colony as possessing one of the most talented men the Assembly for its representative, and we believe ifc will be anxious to sustain its ancient prestige. If so, the chance of Mr Robert Pharazyn to bo elected is exceedingly hopeful, because in such a representative they will possess a man, who though as yet comparatively untried, is already esteemed as a young and talented politician, from whom much is expected in the future. It would be but fair to give such a man a chance, more especially when tho views ho holds are entertained by the great majority of his fellow-colonists. Tho proof of this is to be found in what he says about that great trouble of the Colony— -the native question. Old cries have been forgotten, aud old party j associations broken up. Tho peace, and war party, now exist but in name, because under altered circumstances, every man who has the real interests of the land of his adoption at heart, has resolved to be a member of that great Colonial Party, the organisation of which, the exigencies of the time now imperatively demand. " I belong neither to the Peace nor to th© War Party," says Mr

Pharazyn, and he is right. Great Britair has resolved to leave unfinished that work oi suppressing the Native rebellion, which she has so miserably bungled, and will consequently withdraw her troops from the colony. The time has, therefore, come for the colonists to rely upon themselves alone foi internal defence. At the present moment it is not known whether tho Imperial Government will even aid us with a temporary loan during our time of difficulty. If it should, then we may overcome the evils which now threaten the colony, speedily and with comparative ease ; if it does not, and we are left to struggle unaided, then we say Great Britain should wipe our past liabilities ofl the Slate. Such sentiments, though generally entertained, have not yet found adequate vent, and we hail in the appearance of tho present candidate a man who has the moral courage and honesty to put them forth. It is therefore^ to be hoped iii the interests of the colony at large, that the Rangitikei electors will continue to support thoso views, which we know they have already approved, and return aman to the Assembly who will be their honest aud consistent advocato.