MR WRIGHT'S ADDRESS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1608, 13 July 1887, Page 3

MR WRIGHT'S ADDRESS.

The following is Mr Wright's published address: —To the Electors of Avon :— Beiog urged by numerous friends throughout Canterbury to seek a seat m the next Parliament, I have decided to place my services at the disposal of the eleotors of Avon . A long acquaintance with the workmen of New Zealand has shown me tho importance of widening the field of industry m this colony, m order to afford congenial occupation to all classes of the community. To obtain this object I have advocated such an adjustment of tho Customs Tat iff as should lend the necessary support, at starting, to every industry that gives promise of a healthy growth, when once fairly launched. But whilst teady to lend a helping hand to start new enterprises, care must bo taken to protect the parent industry (agriculture) from the crushing weight of excessive taxation. The accomplishment of the above objects requires a degioe of elasticity m the adjustment of tho Customs Tariff, that it is impossible to obtain m tho face of a heavy deficit m the public rovonue. It is therefore a question of paramount importance to get rid of this deficiency by a thoroughgoing retrenchment m every department of the public expenditure, from the Governor downwards. Whilst assenting to the expediency of establishing village settlements upon a moderate scale throughout tho colony,-! consider good land indispensable to tho success of such settlements, and strongly deprecate the waste of the publio funds m surveying small allotments and making advances for the erection of dwellings upon lands of the poorest class, where the outlay will benefit neither the individual nor tho community. For several years past I have urged the necessity of placing the management of our railways m tho hands of non-political Boards *, and until this is done wo shall not secure the revenue which they are capable of yielding, nor gather m the traffic which is now lost by land and sea. The colony having constructed railways m all directions without stint, tho Crown lands theroby made accessible Bhould be thrown open for sale at their fair valuo. Tho congested labor markot would, by this means, speedily be restored to healthy activity, and tho colonists of New Zealand inspired with Trash confidence m the splendid resources of their adoptod land. Having thus briefly indicated my views upon a few of the leading questions of tho day, 1 venture most respectfully to solicit your support and votes at tho approaching elections, and shall havo much pleasure m addressing you at each convenient mooting place throughout tho district. — I am, gentlemen, your very obedient servant, Edwaed G. Weight.