NOMINATION FOR THE PENINSULA.
This Day. The nomination of candidates for the representation of the Peninsula in the Provincial Council in the room of Mr Seaton, resigned, took place at the School-house at noon to-day. A. C. Strode, Esq., the Returning Officer, having read the advertisement convening the meeting, the following candidates were nominated Mr W. Robertson, of Sandfly Bay. Proposed by Mr Win. (J. Ferguson, seconded by Mr James Beatie, Mr W. A. Tolmie. Proposed by Mr Thomas Granger, seconded by Mr James Muir. Mr Stephen S. Hutchison. Proposed by Mr Job Wain, senr., seconded by Mr W. Percival. No other candidate being proposed, Mr Robertson said the politics of New Zealand had undergone a change since last session. Then public works and immigration were under discussion— now they were began. But in view of the amount of money being spent it was necessary to ask how the population would be employed when those works were finished. His opinion was, it was necessary to press forward colonial industries with a view to exportation of commodities and produce. He would explain his views on that subject more fully if returned to the Council,
In answer to a question the candidate said he did not purpose giving his interest to Mr Hutchison when he found he was to be beaten.
MrToLMiB in coming forward said he ■would merely refer to to the salient points to be considered in regard to a candidate’s opinions. So far as the Peninsula was concerned its interests were the formation of roads, and this was the first consideration. The Government had been very slow in making main roads, and since the whole of the laud in the Peninsula had been alienated and the proceeds received by the province, the duty of making roads should be carried out. With regard to district roads he was glad the Act providing for the amalgamation of road districts was likely to come into operation. The plan of uniting several small districts would tend to do away with local jealousies, for far (more justice would bo done to the interests of all by enlarged local Road Boards, than by small ones with their petty local interests. Although last year only one pound had been received from the Province for every pound raised by rates, he would like to sec two pounds to one contributed as subsidy to road districts. Ho thought roads should be maintained out of general revenue, rather than out of loans. He should like to sec Audevson’s Bay road completed, and it was the duty of the Government to make a beach road as far as it it was possible to go. It behoved the Provincial Council to take the matter of education into consideration, and give no uncercertain sound on it. He would rather have our present system let alone, although it cost Lid, 000 a-year, which was rather a heavy burden on the Province, But if there was to be a national system he would vote for a purely secular education as the only means of settling the matter. Any other plan would lead to constant agitation. Our present mode of selling lands was objectionable, as it tended to the setting ot class against class. If we were to continue to alienate laud, it should bo done quickly, with a view to making roads and constructing such public works as were required. He should like agricultural laud sold as it was wanted, and on deferred payments. The hill-land ought to be sold in any quantity and to any person who would purchase it. He disapproved of the special settlements at such places as Gatlin’s River, Stewart’s Island, &c. He thought it cruel to settle colonists in such places, but new comers could not expect to find a land of milk and
honey, where they could hfte withou%w’qrking. They must work, as those had dope who came before them, and when they wanted land they should he allowed to buy it on deferred payments. He shuddered at the prospect of the misappropriation of the railway loan as, by making raihvays\where not wanted it would he frittered away without beriefittiug the country, and thus burden it with a heavy useless debt. That was, however a matter more for the Genera 1 than the Provincial (Jove, n hoiit to condder. Mr S. Hutchison said no one on tie Peninsula could forget the election of 1837, when lie contested the scat. Then a gentleman was chosen without considering his fitness or bis ability. The ac'ion he took led to a now era. By Ids candidature persons were led to see the need of persons of ability, and in consequence they came from all parts of 1 the district to the poll, so that he polled above 240 against his opponent’s 300. True, he was not returned, but he was surrounded by a large number of electors who, though they did not vote for him because they had pledged themselves to vote for Mr Beaton, promised him their future support. He relied upon their promises, and he believed he should this time succeed. The constituency did not want men who only represented sheep, and he only cami forward because hj believed the interests of the Province were jeopardised. He would fully explain his views to the electors, b it his present object was merely to caution them again-t choosing a person neither able nor worthy in his estimation. , He had looked back to the reports of his speeches in 1867, and saw there that schemes for immigration, railwrys, and the Dovk at Pore Chalmers, as well as the return of the Superintendent, were ail foreshadowed. He had therefore reason to believe that his views had been endorsed by the country. In reply to a question, he said he considered it degrading to answer any question put by Mr Graham. In answer to Mr Reynolds,
Mr Hutchison Jield that the State was only bound to give a purely secular education, such as was fit to enable a lad to get a living in after life, and to fit him for a due fulfilment of social duties.
On a show of hands "being taken, two were held up for Mr Robertson, eighteen for Mr Toimie, and seven for Mr Hutchison. Mr Robertson demanded a poll. The poll is appointed to be taken on Tuesday, April 2nd. On the motion of Mr TotMlE, a vote of thanks to the returning officer, was carried by acclamation.
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Evening Star, Issue 2840, 26 March 1872, Page 2
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1,081NOMINATION FOR THE PENINSULA. Evening Star, Issue 2840, 26 March 1872, Page 2
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