Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Kumara Times, Issue 911, 1 September 1879, Page 2

ASSEMBLY ELECTION. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE IIOKTTIKA ELECTORAL DISTRICT. QENTLEMEN-l'bog to state that I intend to solicit tho honor of being elected one of your representatives in Parliament at the forthcoming General Election. I may mention that I am entirely in accord with that grand Liberal Policy some time been endeavoring to carry out, and which was more recently foreshadowed in the Governor's Speech. lam prepared to support a measure which will secure a more equal representation of the people. I consider that any individual who contributes to the revenue of the country has a right to a voice in returning members to the Representative Chamber. At present a large class are excluded. As allied to this, I would simplify tho existing method of ma-king up the Electoral Rolls, so that no man, legally entitled, should be shut out of the Franchise by mere technical informalities. I am in favor of Triennial Parliaments, inasmuch as they necessitate a more frequent return of members to their constituents for re-elections, are useful for keeping alive the political spirit of the constitution, and are necessary for giving effect to tho political views of a rapidly increasing population. I recognise the urgent necessity for a more equitable distribution of the burdens of taxation. The weight of taxation lias too long pressed on wrong shoulders. The great bulk of the Consolidated Revenue lias been wrung out of imposts upon the necessaries se taxes have, in a substantial measure, gone to pay, and will continue to do so, interests upon borrowed moneys, and these borrowed moneys have been spent, in what >. In enriching the landowners and speculators. A man taxed to enrich the rich, is, I take it a scandal and a libel upon the spirit of I am in favor of a more just and judicious dealing with the public lands. Great estates have boon gathered together by processes of legislation ; and any legislation which favors a policy of this diameter, must inevitably develop those direful evils which we see so rampant in England, Ireland, and Scotland to say nothing of other countries. If we would, then, take a lesson from history and from the distress, poverty, ignorance, and rebellion we see around us we cannot, while there is a public estate reserved to us, do too much to facilitate and encourage its settlement in small holdings I am in favor of the present system of colonial education. I look upon it as the duty of the State to render its subjects better f'Utecl to perform the duties of citizens by giving the them means to read, write, and calculate. And in asking or compelling children to devote 22.1- hours per week to this, I. cannot see that it impinges upon the conscience of any man. If it did, i certainly should respect such scruples. Hut, while, as it is, State edu. cation is c mimed to 4i hours per diem to purely Secular requirements. I cannot see how questions connected with religion or conscience can arise. I am in favour of an amendment in the law with reference to aliens. To invito, hay pay for the entry of a foreigner into our state and then compel him to pay ;l naturalisation capitation tax is an anomaly beyond my comprehension. Tn short, the mode of naturalisation should be of the simplest, and within everyone's reach, and free of all expense. So much for measures now for men. "Measures not Men" is a cry too often heard. To my mind it is a cuckoo crv. Measures without the men are shams As well talk of war without armies of armies without generals. And this leads now for men. me to the present administration. Gentlemen ! my color in pronounced Grey. I look upon the Premier as the personification of Liberalism, and lam satisfied that Ins coadjutors are imbued with an honest endeavor to give effect to Liberal principles. I would give them a cordial an important instalment of their policy in the shape of the Property Tax of last year and a corresponding* relief in the necessaries of life. They are now attempting and I trust, nay i doubt not, they succeed in framing a glorious constution for New Zealand and in making her citizens one of the noblest nations on the face of the lain, Gemiemei W. MORTON