Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Dunstan Times, Issue 714, 24 December 1875, Page 2

Election for the DUNSTAN DISTRICT.

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE DUNSTAN DISTRICT. Gentlemen, —In accordance with the wishes and at tho request of a large number of ra ■ fellow-electors, I have tho honor *o announce my intention of seeking your support at the ensuing election for tho House of Representatives. I regret that circumstances have been so ordered that little time will be allowed you in deliberating upon such an important matter as tho choice of a representative, but I shall endeavor in what time's available to visit the various centres of tho district, and to lay my political views before you. I have good reason to think they will bo found to bo similar to those held by a large majority of tho electors in tho district. Lest I should not, however, have an opportunity of meeting you all personally, I may be permitted here to give, as briefly as possible, a general idea of my political views. I will begin by frankly stating that I think not only was a wrong step taken po litically during tho last session of the Assembly with regard to the Abolition of Provinces, but that a moat grievous wrong was attempted to be perpetrated by a majority of an expiring Parliament against the rights and privileges of the electoral body. The extreme step of abolishing Provincial Governments and Councils, —the creation of tho people themselves, and only existing by the will of the people,—should only have been taken with tho consent first obtained and at the expressed wish of the people. My views will so far, then, be understood when I say, that had I been your representative during the last session. I should steadily and consistently have supported the Opposition in their endeavors to remit the question to the voice of the country. Now that the question has been raised, however, I am sure I only interpret the almost unanimous opinion of the country when I say it is desirable that some change should be made in the direction of simplyfying the form of government under which we live. Over- government has been the chief evil of which we have had to complain, and any change should provide for four things. First, the separation financially and politically (save in purely federal matters) of the North from the South Island ; second, the creation of a legislature or legislatures in each island, having absolute power in all matters not purely federal ; third, the reconstruction of the General Assembly'in accordance with these changes, both -n regard to the number of its members and its powers ; and fourth, the total abolition of the Legislative Council, or the reconstruction of it as an elective body. These are, briefly my views upon the most important constitutional questions likely to be discussed during the next session of the Assembly'. I am in favor of a still further extension of the system of deferred payments in selling the land, and would support any measure which would nave the effect of reducing the price under that system as fixed during the last session. With further regard to the land question, (with the alteration mentioned above,) I believe it would be well to be content till, by the effluxion of time, the present leases of the runs are about to expire. In view of that event, I will be prepared to most strongly advocate and support such an alteration of the law, (if it is neceseary, which I don’t believe,) and such au alteration in the administration, as would enable men of ordinary means to take up leases of from 2,000 to 10,000 acres of pastoral country, instead of, as at present, have large blocks of from 50,000 to 500,000 acres monopolised by ona wealthy firm. The immediate extension of the Railway scheme to the interior of the country will receive my warmest support. I cannot forget in doing so that the Otago central line of railway, whether coming via Tuapeka or Palmerston, will pass through, and for a time terminate in the Dunstan District, and that its construction would not only prove an immense benefit to the present population, but would, in providing cheap and easy transit for goods and passengers give such a stimulus to the various industries in the district as would treble, and even quadruple its present population. 1 am in favor of the entire Abolition of the Gold Duty, and also of the reduction in amount of the fees and rents which now form such a serious item to the mining community. With regard to matters more purely local, Ido not deem it necessary to say much. 1 think the way in which my own individual interests arc bound up in, and inseparable from, the mining prosperity of the district, should be a sufficient guarantee that any measure which is likely to have the effect of benefitting the mining community will have my unremitting attention. 1 think also, when I state that T have Hied and worked on the Goldfields both in Victoria and New Zealand for the last 22 years, it may be taken as a guarantee that I can bring some knowledge of tho special wants of a mining community to the consideration of any question which may arise affecting their inti rests. And now, gent’emen, in conclusion, I trust tho peculiar circumstances of seeking election at your hands will relieve me from the charge of egotism while I make one or two personal remarks. I have no selfish ends ends to serve or benefits to gain in asking suffrages. I am sincerely convinced that the present political situation is the most critical that has yet arisen in . this Colony, and it is solely with a view, to watch tho : interests of a district, in. which I am personally deeply interested that I seek election at aV. Had any o*hor local candidate, holding the same or similar views, come forward, ho should have had my heartiest support; but