Goldfields Electoral District.

Dunstan Times, Issue 256, 22 March 1867, Page 3

Goldfields Electoral District.

To the Electors and Miners of I he Otago Goldfiekls. G GENTLEMEN, —Hating given up my I intention of returning to England; the recent change in the Superintendency, and the urgent solicitations of many friends and miners resident upon the goldfields, induces mo now at the last moment to offer myselt as a Candidate, believing that I can at the present time be of some service to a goldfleld's constituency, and having so determined, it is to that constituency that I now have the honor of addressing myself. Gentlemen s my po'itieal 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 enter somewhat fully into the matters of importance which are before the public mind. 1 am in fovor of the total abolition' cf the Gold Expor -Duty, and if elected, will use my utmost endeavors to procure the same. 1 am in favor of the holder of a Miner's • ight ha\ ing a vote, not only for the Goldtields but for the borough and superintendtuicy elections. I also advocate voting by ballot, believing that it is the only right and independent system of voting. If returned, 1 "shall endeavour to obtain such a redistribution of gold fields districts, as would cause the miners to be represented equally with other classes. I am in favor of substantial grants iu aid of deep sinking and pr. specing 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 —1 am in favor of assisting miners and others iu bri gi"g out their families and frie us, believing that the Province is overdone with skilled labor. I entirely concifr with that portion of the j bill passed Ut the last session of the Provincial Council, which provides for send- ' ing home an agent thoroughly posted up i in he wants and requirements of the Province to afford reliable information to in- j tending emigrant.;, and to further am! ad- j vecate the cause. 1 am strongly in favor of the establishment of .1 mint in New Zealand, and am i satisfied that such a measure would be of J very and great permanent advantage to all j classes of the community, particularly to I the miners. On the land question, my views arc well known to all of you, but as 1 shall be abso'nte'y precluded from meeting some of you prior to the election, it is fitting that 1 should give the subject a passing notice here. I would vote and use all the influence 1 could possibly command against alienating any lands without making ample provision for the protection of existing water-races, and for constructing others as occasion may require. m At the same time, having made such provisions, I am largely in favor of speedy settlement at the cheapest possible rate, believing as I do, that every colo ist is entitled by the will of Heaven to a large share of its beneficent legacy—land. 1 shall strongly urge the importance of immediately making provision for the earlier issue of mining leases, and further alterations in the manner of obtain! g them, having mjself witnessed the large amount of inconvenience caused by the present cumbersome system. '. nthe subject of separa'ion, my mind has long been made up. We must have (and we will have) absolute separation from the North Island before we shall begin to know what real prosperity means. Our revenues must be spent where they are raised, and wiii'e on this subject, 1 may state that I shall, if elected, earnestly advocate the 'disbursement upon the goldfields of the revenues derived from them, in lieu of decorating Dunedia with 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: co select; instead of being compelled to visit Dunedin 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 fide 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 am utterly opposed to a tax on cattle ■ aud horses running in hundred?. The land

was made fur the use of the people, and j any tat upon its occupation while it still I remains in the custody of the Crown is most unjust imd oppressive. 1 am in favor of at once declaring into hundreds and throwing open for free selection such runs (or such portions of runs) as may be in tie neighbourhood of golcfields and fit for agriculture, feeling assured that such a course will not only tend to settle the population, but will conduce to an immense extent to the social and domestic comfort and prosperity of every family. Should you return me as your representative 1 will strive to the utmost of my power to be such in every sense of the word, and I am satisfied that if I so endeavor, I shall achieve such a fair measure of success as will warrant you in awarding to me a continuance of your confidence. i-uch then, gentlemen, is an outline of my views upon a few of the more important subjects of the day. Whore I have an opportunity of meeting you I hope more ful y to enunciate "my policy, mid to 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." J. 0. BROWN. Tuapeka,Bth March, 18G7. Tolling Day, Monday, March 25th, 1867.