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Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 407, 27 September 1856, Page 1

TO THE ELECTORS of the chrrstchurch country district; G ENTLKMEN, I .take the opportunity presented by Mr. Brittin's resignation of his seat to offer myself to repiesent \ou iv the Geneial Assembly of New Zealand. At the eloi-e of" oue session of the Assembly, and so long before another, any opinions expressed on the public questions of the day would he rather comments oil the past than views as to the future. I shall, theiefore, 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 pari of the legislation itself has been 'hurried, ill-considered/ and very in,perfect. I hold it to be the duty of your representative to give a steady vote to a Government with whose general policy he agrees; but,; more particularly, by attentive, consideration, suggestion, and, ii 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 unnecessary, as I have now no time at my disposal to go. through so large a district properly. I am, Gentlemen, Your Obedient Servant, Ckosbie Ward. , Lyttelton, Sept. 15t,~1856. TO/ THE. ELECTORS OP THE CHRISTCHURCH COUNTRY DISTRICT. G_STTLEMEN>— A WRIT having been issued for the election of a member for the Christchurcb 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. Nine months, have elapsed since I appeared before you for a similar purpose; my subsequent public career, .as one of your Representatives in the Provincial Council, will have induced you, I trust, to enlarge, rather than to Avithdraw 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, latterly, 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 costlyjewellery. 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 the consumer. It is unnecessary for mo to dwell upon anyother topics which have been under the consider-