Goldfields Electoral District.

Dunstan Times, Issue 255, 15 March 1867, Page 3

Goldfields Electoral District.

To the Electors and Miners of tile Otago Goldfields. , HEN'TLEMEN,—TIavI-ng given up my vJ intention of returning to England) the recent change in'the Superiuteisdcncy. and the urgent solicitations of many friends and miners resident upon the goldfields, induces me now at the last moment to ■ offer myself us a Candidate, believing that I can at the present time be of some service ■ to a goldflcld's constituency, and having : so determined, it is to that constituency that I now have the honor of addressing myself. Gentlemen, my political views are known to many of you, and I trust, at an early date to visit mo t of the districts, but as I shall be unable to visit all, I now en- ; ter somewhat fully into the matters of ; importance which are before the public mind. I am in favor of the holder of a Miner's Right having a vote, not only for the Goldfields but for the borough and superintondency elections. I also advocate voting by ballot, believing that it is the only right and independent system of voting. If returned, I shall endeavour to obta : n such a redistribution of goldfields disricts, as would cause the miners to be represented equally with other classes. 1 am in favor of substantial grants in aid of deep sinking and prospecting purposes and if returned, shall continue to advocate the giving assistance to miners ia such exceptional cases as require it. I consider it highly advisable to cut a survey track to the West Coast from the Lakes, so as to enable miners and others to profit by, and follow up the researches of Hector, Fyke, and others. Immigration —I am in favor of assisting miners and others in bri; gig out their families and frie: ds, believing that the Province is overdone with skilled labor, I entirely concur with that portion of the bill passed at the last session of the Provincial Council, which provides for send- ! ing home an agent thoroughly posted up j in the wants and requirements of the Provinco to afford reliable information to intending emigrants, and to further and ad- | voeate the cause. I am strongly in favor of the establishment of a mint in New Zealand, and am ] satisfied that such a measure would be of I very and great permanent advantage to all I classes of the community, particular y to the miners. On the land questio", my views are j well known to all of you, but as I shall be I abso'ute'y precluded from meeting sonic of ! you prior to the election, it is fitti g that [ I should give the subject a passing notice ! here. I would vote and use all the inilu- i ence I could possib'v command against ! alienating any lands without making ampie i provision for the protection of existing water-races, and for constructing others as occasion may require. At the same rime, having made such provisions, I am largely in favor of speedy settlement at the cheapest possible rate, believing as I do, that every colonist is entitled by the will of Heaven to a large share of its beneficent legacy—land. I shall strongly urge the importance of immediately making provision for the earlier issue of mining leases, and further alterations in the manner of obtaining them, having myself witnessed the large amount of inconvenience caused by the present cumbersome system. Cn the subject of separation, my mind has long been made up. Yfe must have (and we will have) absolute separation from the North Island before we shall begin to know what real prosperity meansOur revenues must be spent where they are raised, a d win e on this subject, I may state that I shall, if elected, earnestly advocate the disbursement upon the goldfie'ds of the revenues derived from them, in lieu of decorating Puncdia wbh worse than useless public buildings, paid for by the hard earnings of the miners. I will, if returned, do my utmost to create district land offices, where intending purchasers may at o.ee select; instead of being compelled to visit Duncdin to find the land they require, already in the hands of the sharks, not for the purpose of settlement, but in order to extort a bonus from the bona tide settler As roads and bridges are equally important in a young country, I will certainly render every assistance towards their formation and completion, particulaily on the goldfields, where they are most urgently required. I urn utterly oppcsa.l to a tax on cattle and horses running in hundreds. The land was made for the use of the people, and [ any tax upon its occupation while it still | remains in the custody of the Crown is most unjust and oppressive. j 1 am in favor of at once declaring into

hundreds and Ihrowing opsn for free selection such lima (or such portions of r.ms) as ] may ba in the ueigUboUrJiood of go] 'fields audfit for agriculture,feeling assurod-fcliat such a cour.se will not only tend to sett e the population, but will conduce to an immense extent to the social a* d domestic j comfort and prosperity of every family. fcuch then, gentlemen, is an outline of my views upon a few of the more important subjects of the day. Where I have an opportunity of meeting you I hope more ful yto enunciate my policy, and 16 those of you whom I may not have the honor of addressing, I would tender my assurance that "liberality towards a'l" is my motto ■ —ever the " greatest good'" to the " greatest number." Should you return me as your representative I will strive to the utmost of iny power to be such in every sense of the word, and I am satisfied that if I so endeavor, 1 shall achieve such a fair measure of success as will warrant yon In awarding to rue a continuance of your confidence. 1 have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your very faithful Servant, J. C. BKOY/.W Tuapeka, Bth March, I"G7. Polling Day, Monday, March 25th, 1807.