Page 3 Advertisements Column 2

Evening Post, Issue 141, 21 July 1865, Page 3

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE WAIRARAPA, FOR THE HOUSE OF RF> PRESENTATIVE3. Gentlemen, I HAVE been invited by many of you to come forward as a candidate to fill the seat in the General Assembly tasted by the resignation of Mr. Carter and I have decided to place my service at your disposal. Had I not been asked by you to do so, I should not have presumed to offer to repre" sent the important district of the Wairarapa while there are so many able and influential men resident among y. v who are more worthy of the honor, for, to some of you, I am a comparative stranger, and my political views are almost unknown. In consequence wf the Provincial Council being now in session, I am Sorry I cannot at present pay you a visit. I hope, however, to be able to do so before long— at all events, before the day of nomination. In the meantime it is my duty, briefly,' to give expression to the opinions I hold on one or two of the important subjects now occupying the attention of the public. I may say, at the outset, that I approve of the policy advocated by Mr. Weld. The evils of a double or mixed Government have shown us the necessity of self-reliance, and have compelled the country to come to the conclusion that we must, as soon as possible, however unwillingly, do without the services of the Imperial troops, and gmuit depend on our own resources, and oh men under our own control, to enforce law and order in the Colony* In saying this, however, I am not unmindful of the obligations we are under to the mother country for the assistance we have received during the late crisis of the Colony. It is not so long since we were crying out for troops, and the Imperial Government, in the most generous and prompt manner,rc>sponded to our appeal. Instead, therefore, of complaining that England has not done us justice, 1 would rather thank her for past help, and show we were worthy of it by now trying to settle our internal difficulties without further aid, Thus alone can we maintain the dignity and responsibility of our Colonial Government. Until very recently the Imperial Government retained the management of native affairs in its own hands, and it was not until long after the war had commenced that the control was handed over to the Colonial Government. I am, therefore, of opinion that the Imperial Government i» renponsible for the past, and ought not to expect the Colony to pay the expenses of the wur. For the future the Colony must provide. I, therefore, approve of the proposals by the present Ministry to confiscate a portion of the land of the rebel natives, and to sell sufficient to provide the ways and means to put the more important of the country districts in a proper state of defence. The financial condition of the Colony deserves special attention. I am of opinion that the exact position we are in should be made as clear and as public as possible ; for, although at present the Government may labor under temporary embarrassments for money, the Colony is still deservedly in good credit, and, under judicious management, we ought to find no difficulty in getting whatever pecuniary assistance we may want. I would repeat, however, that if we want to borrow money we must be perfectly open, and show the world exactly how we stand. I should be glad to see the Tariff amended, or at all events, that it should be made more definite than it is at present. I shall not touch on any other subject in this address, except to add that if any alteration is to be made in the representation of the various constituencies throughout the Colony, the claims of the Wairarapa under this head will not be forgotten. Although private interests ought not in any way to influence political opinions, I would remind those electors who may, perhaps** object to me as a non-resident, that I hail* property, and a very considerable indirect stake in the district. In conclusion, t would say that if you elect me you will not have an experienced statesman as your member, but simply a plain business man, who has not sought the honor, but who will esteem it an honor to be Representative of the Wairarapa. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, EDWARD PEARCE. Wellington, July 14, 1865.