To the Independent Electors op the DisXBICT OF ChRISTCHUKCH.
Mount Grey, J sth Oct., 1852. Gentlemen, —As under the New I'onstitution, about to be granted to New Zealand, you will shortly be called upon to return Representatives to the Legislative Assembly, I do myself the honour to inform you it is my intention to offer myself as a Candidate for your suffrages on the occasion. Having been but a very short time resident in your Settlement it may be necessary for roe to state, what are the principles on which I come forward. X The first is that every Briton is entitled as his birth-right to full and free representative institutions. The second, that each Colony should have the management of its own concerns. I am of opinion that the Legislative Council of New Zealand should have the entire control over its revenues, including the Civil List; so that, by abolishing useless and supernumerary offices, the funds at its command may be employed in making roads through the different districts, introducing steam communication between the settlements, developing the resources of the colony—that where God lias given us so many advantages in country, in climate, and soil—man may no longer be allowed to mar the work of His hand. The New Constitution, I grant, may' do much towards these objects, but far more will remain to be done. A member of the Protestant Church, I am well aware of the benefits which your settlement in particular has derived from its influence, and I trust by its means, my sons may one day receive as good an education in this Colony as at any English Uuiversity. I would do everything in my power to promote its utility, and to advance its interests, but I do not forget that I am one of a stock who have ever advocated religious toleration to its fullest extent, and I trust the days are long gone by when any man could be deprived of his civil rights for conscience sake. The pastoral regulations require most careful and anxious attention, and I hope those who are subject to them will have confidence in me, and give me their support, as their interests are identical with my own. Finally, Gentlemen, I will yield to no one in allegiance to my Queen. I have been too long in her service to offer a factious opposition to Government, but I have, also, been a sufficient time in the colonies to know what the Colonists require, and I am fully aware that to obtain our just rights, we require a long pull—a strong pull—and a pull altogether. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your very obedient humble Servant, E. M. O'CONNELL. late Major 99th Regiment.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18521023.2.16
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 94, 23 October 1852, Page 10
Word count
Tapeke kupu
455Untitled Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 94, 23 October 1852, Page 10
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.