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Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 406, 24 September 1856, Page 1

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CHRISTCHURCH COUNTRY DISTRICT. Gentlemen,— I take the opportunity presented by Mr. rßrittin'sfresigriatioritof his Beat to offer myself to represent you in the General Assernbiy of New Zealand; . At the close of one session or the Assembly, and so long before another, any opinions expressed on the public questions of the day would be rather comments on the past than views as to the future. I shall, therefore, only say here that I consider the main principles of the policy of . the present Government to have been adopted with judgment and foresight, as a basis of future legislation. In my opinion, however, a great part of the legislation itself has been -hurried, - ill-considered) and very iihperfeet. .1 hold it to be the duty of your representative to give a steady vote to a Government with whose general policy he agrees; bui, more particularly, by attentive consideration, suggestion, and-, if need be, opposition, to prevent the passing of any measure Which he does not thoroughly understand and approve. Such will be my line of conduct, if you think proper to elect me as your Representative. I trust, Gentlemen, that my late appearance before you in the same capacity, will render a personal canvass upon this occasion unnecessar)', as I have now no time at my disposal to go through so large a district properly. lam, Gentlemen, Your Obedient Servant, '"'.._-•- Ceosbie W4.HJ). Lyttelton, Sept. Ist, 1856. ' ■ •- TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CHRISTCHURCH COUNTRY DISTRICT. Gentlemen, — A WRIT having been issued for the election of a member for the Christchurch Country District, in the House of Representatives, I venture, in accordance with the wish of several electors, to present myself to your notice, as a candidate for the vacant seat. Wine months have elapsed since I appeared before you fora similar purpose; my subse? quent public career, as one of your Representatives in the Provincial Council, will have induced you, I trust, to enlarge, rather than to withdraw your confidence in me. You will remember that I told you it was essential that your choice should fall upon men who possessed commercial experience; an opinion which recent events has confirmed. You have seen the necessity for it in the altered Tariff, which has been so hastily thrust through the General Assembly; a tariff which never could have stood the ordeal of any number of mercantile men, setting aside as it does all recently recognised principles of commercial legislation. The principle in England, lattei'ly, has been to reduce the duty upon all articles essential for the consumption of the people; . the present tariff has the opposite effect. Upon some articles it will result almost to a prohibition ; upon others the duty has been doubled; upon many it" has been increased one-third; while cottons, calicoes, flannels, and even the "blue shirt" are placed,'most unfairly, in the same category with the choicest silks, and costly jewellery. - The use of a colony to its mother country is in the extension of its home commerce, and in opening up new fields for its superabundant productions, but this novel system will materially check our trade, and press most heavily upon tlie consumer. ■ It is unnecessary for me to dwell upon any other topics which have beou under the consider-